Short spells for Wood

Itrsquos always a tough challenge when any team embark on a trip to India The Ben StokesBrendon McCullum duo need to be bold and brave to take the challenge head on The Bazball template will be seriously tested against the Rohit Sharmaled team in Indian conditions in the fivematch Test seriesldquoWell I just think any team which comes to India itrsquos always a tough challenge We understand that as a team and we respect that as a team as wellrsquorsquo said England skipper Stokes in his first media conference on the eve of the first Test that starts on ThursdayOpportunity to performThe feisty allrounder opined that these types of challenges present them with an opportunity to perform ldquoYou know this team love opportunities We take every opportunity head on and we run towards itAlso Read ldquoI donrsquot think we are unbeatable Indian skipper Rohit ahead of tests against EnglandBen StokesWe donrsquot back away from anything and wersquoll always go there and give ourselves the best chance to win games But yeah India is an incredibly hard place to come and win a game of cricket So we know how itrsquos got to be but I am really really looking forward to the challenge that it presentsrdquoEngland had no second thoughts about the pitch here They believe it will be a turner as they announced their playing XI with a threepronged spin attack that included Lancashire leftarm spinner Tom Hartley who will make his debut Jack Leach leftarm and Rehan Ahmed legspinner are the other two spinnersldquoI donrsquot necessarily think itrsquos all brave Itrsquos just me and Baz looking at the wicket and thinking about what XI we need to pick to give us the best chance And you know thatrsquos the eleven wersquove gone withrsquorsquo pointed out Stokes adding that he is looking forward to Hartley who is obviously very excited to at least come in and make his Test debut ldquoIrsquom looking forward to seeing him out thererdquo said StokesThe England skipper was frank enough to say they would not go in with too many preconceived ideas ldquoWhen yoursquore in India you know that the ball is going to turn Wersquoll have to adapt to whatever we sort of have presented in front of us whether it be with bat or ballrsquorsquoBowling tournamentThe England team according to Stokes are going to use this series as a bowling tournament ldquoI think Irsquom pretty clear in my head how I can best use this bowling attack that wersquove got You know trying to exploit different situations Irsquove definitely been clear in my mind around how I think Irsquom going to use a bowling tournamentrsquorsquoGiving reasons for ignoring crafty swing bowler Jimmy Anderson Stokes said Mark Wood is a real impact bowler with his high pace ldquoBowling at 90 miles an hour with a reversing ball is obviously going to be very difficult to play against Hersquos another weapon which you can use out here with short sharp spells which is what we said to him like you know wanting to be bowling as fast as you can and for short periodsrsquorsquoStokes added that Anderson has been an incredible professional ldquoWe want him to play his part at some point You never know how conditions might change and what you might feel is the best setup for your teamrsquorsquo When asked why India are unbeatable in home conditions Stokes signed off saying ldquoThey are better at exploiting the home conditions I think thatrsquos it Theyrsquove got a quality spin attack and qualitybatsmenrdquo