India v England: Bryson Carse in for Gus Atkinson for second T20
2025-01-24
Category: sports

England have replaced Gus Atkinson with fellow pace bowler Brydon Carse for the second T20 against India in Chennai on Saturday.Atkinson took heavy punishment in England's seven-wicket hammering in the series opener on Wednesday, conceding 38 runs from his two overs.Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is on stand-by to make his T20 international debut if Jacob Bethell does not recover from illness.All-rounder Bethell, 21, did not take part in training on Friday.Carse has enjoyed a successful winter in England's Test team after making his debut against Pakistan in October. The 29-year-old has played four previous T20 internationals.Surrey's Smith, 24, is back in the England fold after missing the Test tour of New Zealand on paternity leave.
England are looking to get back into the series after being soundly beaten in Kolkata in Brendon McCullum's first match as head coach of the white-ball teams.Bowled out for 132, England's historical weakness against spin was again exposed, as India's trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi shared a combined 5-67 from 12 overs.Batter and vice-captain Harry Brook said England are "pretty chilled" about the outcome of the opener but did say the smog in Kolkata made it hard to read the home bowlers."With the smog the other night, it was a lot harder to pick," said Brook. "Hopefully the air is a bit clearer here and we can see the ball a bit easier."Facing spin in T20 cricket is probably the hardest thing in the game, especially because I always get out trying to absolutely smack it," he said."Maybe I've got to rein in a little bit, but we'll see."