India vs England: From Lions to Lord's? Teen pacer joins England squad after KL Rahul scalp

Eddie Jack (X Photo)
Teenage fast bowler Eddie Jack has been drafted in as a practice option with the senior England team ahead of the opening Test against India at Headingley, starting June 20, following an eye-catching display for the England Lions against India A.
The 19-year-old Hampshire pacer, standing 6-foot-4 tall, turned heads during the second unofficial Test in Northampton by removing century-maker
KL Rahul
and regularly troubling India's top-order. Jack finished with figures of 2/71 in the second innings, also claiming the wicket of Dhruv Jurel — one of India's rising stars.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
According to The Times, Jack 'impressed' the England Lions' coaching group, which includes Andrew Flintoff, Mark Wood and Graeme Swann.
Though yet to debut in the County Championship, Jack has shown maturity beyond his years in two first-class games against India A and with a five-wicket haul in a recent warm-up match against Zimbabwe.
Poll
How do you feel about Eddie Jack's inclusion in the senior England team ahead of the Test series against India?
Excited about his potential
Skeptical about his experience
Indifferent
Supportive but cautious
His inclusion in England's practice setup comes at a critical juncture, with injuries depleting the hosts' pace resources. Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test, Mark Wood is out for the summer, and Gus Atkinson is nursing a hamstring injury.
While veteran Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue also featured against India A, Jack's presence adds depth and raw pace to England's fast-bowling mix.
The five-match Test series will mark the beginning of a new WTC cycle and a fresh chapter in Indian cricket, with Shubman Gill stepping in as captain following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy
England squad for first Test against India
Ben Stokes
(Captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

India.com

35 minutes ago

• India.com

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill Create History After 8 Years With Twin Tons On Day 1 Vs England At Headingley

In a defining statement of India's generational shift in red-ball cricket, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill carved their names into the history books with sublime centuries on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley. Double Ton After 8 Years Marking a rare feat last achieved by Indian batters in 2016, the duo became the first Indian pair in eight years to score hundreds on the opening day of a Test match. Their landmark partnership powered India to a dominant 359/3 at stumps, firmly placing the visitors in command of the series opener. The 100-run partnership between them not only frustrated England's bowlers but also reminded spectators of the calm dominance India once enjoyed under Kohli's leadership, now being redefined by a younger, fearless generation. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were the first pair to achieve the landmark. Against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2001, Sachin made 155 runs, while batting at number six, Sehwag smacked 105. 16 years later, the pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara achieved the same feat against Sri Lanka. Jaiswal and Gill became the third Indian pair. IND Vs ENG Day 1 Highlights India ended Day 1 in commanding fashion at 359/3 at stumps, fueled by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and Shubman Gill (127)*, plus a supportive 65* from Rishabh Pant. Headingley's surface played true after the toss, vindicating England's decision to bowl first, though the pitch is expected to wear slightly on Day 2, potentially aiding spinners later in the match. Who Takes the Lead on Day 2 India's top order has held strong, and with Gill and Pant at the crease, India could extend their lead early. England's new-ball bowlers, particularly Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, and Shoaib Bashir, must find early breakthroughs, while India's openers must stay cautious and build further dominance.

Time of India

35 minutes ago

• Time of India

IND vs ENG: Shubman Gill, Jonny Bairstow's heated sledging war resurfaces

Shubman Gill of India (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) NEW DELHI: As Shubman Gill marked his captaincy debut with a brilliant unbeaten century at Headingley on Friday, an old verbal exchange between him and England's Jonny Bairstow resurfaced online, going viral across cricket circles. The clip, originally from the final Test of the 2024 India-England series in Dharamshala, captures the two batters engaging in a light-hearted yet sharp sledging battle. The moment unfolded after Gill had scored a fine century but was soon dismissed by James Anderson. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Reportedly, Gill had earlier told Anderson, who had just become the first pacer to take 700 Test wickets, that he should retire. When Bairstow came out to bat in England's second innings, he decided to revisit the conversation. Bairstow: "What did you say to Jimmy about him retiring?" Gill: "I told him he should retire." Bairstow: "And then he got you out next ball?" Gill: "So what? He can get me out after my 100." Bairstow: "100 percent." Gill: "How many hundreds do you have this series?" Bairstow: "How many have you scored, full stop?" Watch: Though the exchange ended with smirks, the scoreboard soon tilted India's way. Bairstow was dismissed just four balls later by Kuldeep Yadav, and India won the match by an innings to seal the series 4-1. Poll Who do you think performed better in the sledging exchange: Shubman Gill or Jonny Bairstow? Shubman Gill Jonny Bairstow Both were equally entertaining Neither, it was just banter Now, months later, Gill has led from the front in his first innings as India's Test captain, scoring a commanding 127 not out against England in the series opener at Headingley. Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Shubman Gill after maiden Test ton in England: 'I love it' With Jaiswal's 101 and Pant's unbeaten 65, India finished Day 1 on 359/3, firmly in control. The resurfaced sledging video has added another layer of drama to the new series. While England, without Bairstow, look to regroup, Shubman Gill's performance, both with the bat and as leader, signals a confident new era for Indian Test cricket. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here

Hindustan Times

44 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

Yashasvi Jaiswal wanted match-like pressure in nets, India teammate reveals opener's promise before 1st Test vs England

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's remarkable Test century at Headingley was one of the key talking points from the side's dominant outing on the opening day of the Test. After scoring a superb 101 in challenging conditions against England, Jaiswal was joined by teammate Dhruv Jurel for a post-match chat that offered fans a candid peek into his preparation and mindset. India's Yashasvi Jaiswal walks off the field after losing his wicket on day one of the first cricket test match between England and India(AP) The pair, long-time teammates, spoke on camera in a video shared by the BCCI, where Jurel highlighted the self-imposed pressure Jaiswal carried to perform in England, even before the official series began. 'When we were playing for India A, you told me you just have to score runs in England no matter what,' Jurel recalled. 'Even when the ball was moving a lot, you wanted the same challenge in the nets. I think that stubbornness is what makes you different. I've seen it since we were kids. But tell everyone what you're like off the field when there's no match.' Jaiswal responded with a grin: 'You tell them!' He added, 'I don't do much. When I need to be serious, I stay serious. I focus on my preparation and try to keep my mind calm. That really helps me.' The 23-year-old's hundred at Leeds continued an extraordinary pattern; he has now scored centuries in his first Test in the West Indies, Australia, and England. On Friday, Jaiswal weathered difficult early spells, battled cramps in both hands, and still managed to hammer 16 boundaries and a six in his 159-ball effort. 'Whenever I come here, I just want to give my best for my team and my country. I really enjoy practising alone and preparing myself. I try to make sure every ball I face in practice helps me when I'm in tough situations,' he said. 'You know this too, that there are so many moments when we're under pressure.' Recalling a key moment from the India 'A' build-up, Jaiswal added: 'Harshit Rana and Bumrah bhai were bowling really well. I wasn't scoring runs easily but I kept playing. That gave me a lot of confidence and belief that I can survive and get through tough phases.' India 359/3 Alongside Jaiswal, Shubman Gill made an excellent start to his captaincy stint, remaining unbeaten on 127 at the end of the day's play. Gill remained a composed figure throughout his stay at the crease on Day 1, and will be aiming to continue with the same intensity on Saturday. Rishabh Pant, too, showed his class as he walked back unbeaten on 65 at the end of day's play, with India comfortably dominating the English bowlers.