‘Under pressure’ England faces selection quandaries ahead of Mumbai Test

London: England management is facing headache over the right team selection ahead of the second Test match against India in Mumbai, which starts on Friday.

The England management has been pouring over the dilemma that has Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow and Samit Patel fighting it out for two batting spots. While Stuart Meaker is making a late run up the rails to force his way into the side in place of either Tim Bresnan or Stuart Broad. Originally only arriving as cover for both Broad and Steven Finn, Meaker has emerged as a potential strike option to try to unsettle the Indian batsmen with out and out pace. With Monty Panesar almost certain to play as the second spinner in place of Bresnan, the tour vice-captain would be the man under pressure to keep his spot. “Meaker is being retained for this Test and if we wanted to pick him, we could pick him,” the Daily Mirror quoted England coach, Andy Flower, as saying. “Stuart Broad has dropped a little pace. He hasn’t been haring in like he did as a very young fast bowler,” he added. In the batting lineup, Bairstow remains the favourite to replace the departed Ian Bell, but England are desperate to find room for the left-handed Morgan who should be able to repel the threat of Pragyan Ojha. Morgan could replace Bell straight out with Patel keeping his place, but Bairstow has done everything right to be the next cab off the rank. ANI