England Lions Set to Clash with India A in Final Unofficial Test
Upcoming Match Details
The England Lions are gearing up to take on India A in the concluding unofficial Test match of their series. Scheduled for June 6, 2025, the match will commence at 3:30 PM IST at the County Ground in Northampton, England.
England Lions Performance
Following an exciting first unofficial Test, the England Lions are ready to face India A again. In their previous encounter, they responded to India A's impressive total of 557 runs by scoring a remarkable 587 runs, showcasing their strength on home soil. Key players like Tom Haines, Max Holden, and Dan Mousley each contributed centuries, and they will look to replicate this success in Northampton.
India A's Progress
India A has been making significant strides ahead of their tour in England. They posted a formidable 557 runs in their first Test, highlighted by Karun Nair's double century and Jurel's 94 runs. In their second innings, they managed 241 for 2 before the match concluded in a draw. This upcoming match is crucial for finalizing the starting XI for the first Test, especially with the return of regular players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul after the IPL 2025.
Pitch Conditions
The pitch at County Ground is expected to favor batsmen. While it may challenge batters with good-length deliveries, they should capitalize on loose balls once they settle in. As the match progresses, the batting conditions are likely to improve, with the average first innings score at this venue being around 262.
Head-to-Head Record
| ENG-L vs IND-A head-to-head (last 5 unofficial Test matches) | |
| Won by England Lions | 0 |
| Won by India A | 3 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Drawn | 2 |
Probable Line-ups
England Lions: Ben McKinney, Tom Haines, Emilio Gay, Max Holden, James Rew (c & wk), Dan Mousley, Rehan Ahmed, Josh Hull, Ajeet Dale, Zaman Akhter, Eddie Jack.
India A: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.
Key Players to Watch
Top Wicketkeeper
- Dhruv Jurel | IND-A: The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter impressed in the first Test, scoring 137 runs across both innings. His performance makes him a valuable addition to any fantasy team.
Top Batters
- Tom Haines | ENG-L: Haines had a stellar outing in the first match, scoring 171 runs. His consistent form in county cricket, with 659 runs in 14 innings, makes him a must-pick.
- Karun Nair | IND-A: Nair is looking to secure his place in the Indian Test squad after a remarkable double century in the first Test. His experience and form are crucial for India A.
Top All-Rounders
- Dan Mousley | ENG-L: Mousley has shown great potential, scoring 155 runs in 7 innings in the County Div-One 2025 and contributing significantly in the first Test.
- Nitish Reddy | IND-A: Reddy's recent form, including a half-century in the second innings, will be vital for India A's success.
Top Bowlers
- Zaman Akhter | ENG-L: Akhter was the standout bowler for England Lions in the first Test, taking three wickets and looking to build on that performance.
- Mukesh Kumar | IND-A: Kumar has been a consistent wicket-taker for India A, claiming three wickets in the first Test and proving his worth on the field.