England's batsman must play to their strengths, says Mark Ramprakash
Wednesday 23 November 2016 22:54, UK
England are pondering a "proactive" change to help the majority of their batsmen play to their strengths against India in the third Test, live on Sky Sports.
England succumbed to a 246-run defeat in Vizag despite a defensive opening partnership between captain Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed.
The visitors are contemplating a recall for Jos Buttler as a specialist batsman for his first Test in 13 months in place of the out-of-sorts Ben Duckett, and have readied him as best they can by trying to replicate the challenge of Test cricket in the nets.
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In the absence of match practice for a player who has made his name in the shorter format of the game, the simulation has consisted of a 10-over scenario against squad bowlers Jake Ball and Gareth Batty to recreate the difficulty of starting and sustaining a Test innings.
England batting coach Mark Ramprakash hopes those methods may benefit Buttler in Mohali this weekend.
Even higher up the agenda is the identification of a collective game plan which will prevent batting collapses experienced already on the tour of India.
"It certainly keeps us on our toes," said Ramprakash. "To be aware of how difficult it is for the new batsman going in against accurate spin.
"I thought the boys adapted well to the situation and tried their best to stick it out. But I think they will look forward to getting back to playing with more of a mindset of being proactive."
Ramprakash's brief centres on trying to stop Ravi Ashwin and fellow spinners bowling India to victory - as he did with an eight-wicket match haul as the hosts went 1-0 up with three to play.
"Everything we've worked on in Bangladesh and India is about trying to rotate (the strike) wherever possible," said Ramprakash.
"You want batsmen to play to their strengths - people like Jonny [Bairstow], Stokesy [Ben Stokes], Moeen [Ali], they like to play their shots."
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