Now is the time for England’s batsmen to nail down places for Sri Lanka | Vic Marks


Cook? Jennings? Bairstow? Stokes? Fourth Test against India finds England in a state of flux with only Joe Root inked in for October’s tour

One up with two to play makes you the favourite to win. Yet on the eve of the fourth Test in Southampton the India team, though 2-1 down in the series, seem the more settled. For the first time in Virat Kohli’s reign as captain he has indicated he intends to play the same side in consecutive Tests. Meanwhile England, despite their lead, remain a team in a state of flux.

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