Keaton Jennings told to play normal game ahead of potential England Test bow
Tuesday 6 December 2016 14:17, UK
England coach Trevor Bayliss had a reassuring message for Keaton Jennings as the opener reported for his first practice session before his anticipated Test debut, live on Sky Sports, this week.
Jennings, fresh from a century last week in his first match for England Lions, will be encouraged - like the rest of Alastair Cook's team as they try to battle back from 2-0 down against India - to simply stick to what he does best.
The Australian acknowledges it is down to him, not just the captain, to deliver the right information.
"Over the last few series, Cooky has taken on more of a role there - which has been great - but I think for the coming couple of Tests it is time I stepped up to the mark to just remind them of how we have played when we have played well," he said.
"The same message will be to Keaton as well. You have been successful playing in a particular way - there is no reason to change that.
"It does not matter what form cricket you are playing - if you are in form you are in form. It is good he is coming with some confidence."
Jennings, about to become Cook's 11th opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss four years ago, gets his chance through the misfortune of teenager Haseeb Hameed, who made a fine impression at the top of the order, only to have his tour ended early by a badly-broken left little finger.
Bayliss, meanwhile, has been rehearsing his latest team talk.
"The first three innings of this series we had a nice positive approach to the game," he added.
"Probably the last three innings we have got away from that a little bit.
"If you look at batters who scored runs in the first three innings of the Test series they were proactive, trying to be positive - which means they will defend well ... but when opportunity comes along to attack, we take them.
"In the last three innings, we have changed that mindset to more along the lines of survival, and when some of our naturally more positive players try to play that way they [have been] in two minds.
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"I thought in the last innings of the last Test we gifted them some wickets when we looked to be in two minds."
He agrees, whatever the finer detail, India have been the better side to date, but nonetheless sees signs that England are capable of better as they become more attuned to requirements in unfamiliar conditions.
"We have not been good enough to win," he said.
"We have been outplayed by the Indian team, but when I look at where we are heading, there have been enough good things happening in this series to suggest that ... we are heading in the right direction.
"There have been enough good signs they are able to play in these conditions, but a bit more consistency will only come with experience of playing here."
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Live coverage of England's tour of India - including the ODI and T20 series - continues with the fourth Test from 3,30am on Thursday on Sky Sports 2.
