England vs India, 2018: England's Predicted XI for 3rd Test

The England cricket team has been fairly dominative in this series. After having won the first Test against India, the Englishmen completely ruled the show of the second Test at the iconic Lord's.

On the back of James Anderson's five-wicket haul in the first innings and Chris Woakes' dramatic century in the first innings, England won the second Test by a hefty margin of an innings and 159 runs.

Now, we head to the picturesque Trent Bridge in Nottingham for the third Test of the long five-match Test series. The Trent Bridge Test (18-22 August) will prove to be a hell of an encounter with England going for a series victory.

ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) has published a powerful 13-member squad for the third Test against India. Thus, let us have a look at the predicted playing XI for England for the third Test against India.

England 3rd Test Squad: Joe Root (C), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and James Porter.

---

Openers: Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings

Alastair Cook, the veteran English left-hander, has had a mediocre Test series thus far. England will be hoping for an improved display from the former England captain in the third Test. With a mighty batting line-up, Cook's coming back to the form will only add to the batting depth of the side. Thus, after having stated no reserve opener in their squad, England will move ahead with Cook for the upcoming Test.

Accompanying Cook would be the budding left-handed prodigy, Keaton Jennings. He has been moderately contributive in this series so far. Although the left-hander has failed to capitalize on his starts, he proves to be a grave threat to India when on song.

Thus, the Englishmen are least likely to tinker their opening combination for the third Test.

Middle-Order: Joe Root (C), Ollie Pope, and Jos Buttler

Virat Kohli's opposite number Joe Root will be taking the No.3 spot in the third Test. Root has been brilliant in this series, both as a captain as well as a batsman. Unquestionably, Root will be crucial in the third Test if Englishmen want to close the series by the end of the third Test.

Ollie Pope, the right-handed prospect from Surrey, had a fairly decent run on his Test debut. With a promising 28 in the first innings and some vital contributions in the field, England is all set to give Pope a longer run in Test cricket. Thus, to clarify the fact, Ollie will be a part of the playing XI in the third Test.

England's limited overs wicketkeeper, Jos Buttler, has put up an overly moderate show in this series so far. After failing in the first Test at Edgbaston, Buttler looked good with the bat in the second Test but was not able to convert his start to a good score. Nevertheless, Buttler is expected to hold his place in the playing XI for the third Test as well.

Wicket-keeper: Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow has been doing all good for the Englishmen at the No.6 spot in the longest format of the game. Without any doubt, Bairstow has been the best in the business for past few years. Having scored this many runs for England, Jonny boasts to be the key player for the Englishmen in the lower middle-order.

Bairstow had a decent outing in the first Test as well as in the second Test. Thus, with a good form on his side, Bairstow is all set to feature in the playing XI for the third Test at Trent Bridge.

All-rounders: Chris Woakes and Sam Curran

Chris Woakes, the Man of the Match in the previous Test against India, made his comeback to the Test cricket with an all-round performance in the second Test. His knock of 137* in the first innings of the second Test proved to be vital for England. Besides his handy knock, Woakes also shone in the bowling department with four wickets in the match. Thus, with Ben Stokes set to miss the third Test as well, Woakes is expected to confirm his place in the playing XI for the third Test.

Sam Curran, the young lad, has been the find of the series thus far. With umpteen all-round abilities, Curran has been a good asset for the Englishmen in this tour. Having contributed in both the departments, Curran boasts to be a menace to any opposition. Thus, Curran is most likely to retain his place in the playing XI for the third Test.

Spinner: Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid has been the most underused player in this series. After having bowled only 11 overs in the first Test, Rashid was not asked to bowl in the second Test considering the overcast conditions that assisted the pace bowlers.

With no deficiency of pace bowlers, Adil Rashid's addition could assist the English bowling line-up with a lot of variety. Thus, Rashid is expected to retain his place in the playing XI for the third Test against India.

Pace Bowlers: Stuart Broad and James Anderson

What a pair this has been for England in Test cricket. With quality swing bowling, Broad and Anderson have created wonders for England in the context of red ball cricket.

Anderson and Broad seem to be in sublime form after having demolished the Indian batting line-up in the first and the second Test. Anderson's 9-wicket haul and Broad's 5-wicket haul in the second Test helped England to contain India in both the innings of the second Test.

Safe to say, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, the legendary bowling pair in the context of red ball cricket, will be holding their place in the third Test as well.