Three keys to victory as England face the toughest test in cricket

As England's tour of India fast approaches, I take a little look at the positives from their series win against Sri Lanka. Below are my three keys to achieving a test series win in India, a feat that hasn't been achieved for over 9 years.

1) Economy Rates

In India's last three test series at home they have been allowed to score at a rate of 4.14 runs per over. Granted these series were against Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies, but clearly the recent sides to tour India have not applied sufficient pressure to force the Indian batsmen into mistakes.

An example of the importance of economy rates can be seen when looking at England's victorious visit to India in 2012. Throughout the four test series England's spinners averaged an economy rate of just 2.73, piling pressure on the Indian batsmen through the use of dot balls. This resulted in a 2-1 victory for England and must be used as a template for the style of bowling they must adapt.

Even though Dom Bess and Jack Leach may struggle to maintain similar control to the likes of Swann and Panesar in 2012, England's seamers do have the potential to bowl in such a manner. Broad and Anderson's stats from Sri Lanka were quite ridiculous considering the road like pitches which were put in front of them. If they can replicate these in the coming series, then it could be a far closer contest then many predict.

2) Big Hundred's

'Daddy Hundred's', more commonly seen as a score of over 150 runs have been hard to come by for England in the last few years, however since the appointment of Chris Silverwood, this seems to have taken a turn for the better.

In England's last three test matches they have scored two double hundreds, courtesy of Joe Root and Zak Crawley, alongside Root's masterful 186 last week.

It is no coincidence that England are unbeaten in these last three test matches, as England haven't lost a test match since 2015 whenever a batsmen has gone on to make a double century.

India also have have a tendency to go big once their star batsmen are settled, with players such as Virat Kohli being merciless in his succession rate between 100-200. England found this out in their last tour of India in 2016 as Virat Kohli hit 235 in the first test and Karun Nair smashed 303 to close off the series.

If England can carry on this promising succession of batsmen going big, it will allow the English spinners to bowl a more attacking line and length with plenty of runs already on the board. It could also take the pressure off their shoulders and allow them to flourish in what will be some extremely spin friendly conditions.

3) Keep Faith in Somerset Duo

The use of spin is always the key to victory in India. It is a well known fact that to be a successful team in the sub-continent your spinners must have the ability to bowl a side out in a fourth innings with the game on the line. England's spin duo of Jack Leach and Dom Bess received a fair amount of criticism from pundits and ex-players for their performances in Sri Lanka, but the lack of cricket the pair had played must be taken into account.

Bess hadn't bowled since the summer series against Pakistan, with Leach having only played two first class matches in the whole of 2020. Although neither set the world alight in the two match series, both picket up a five wicket haul and showed signs of promise the more overs they bowled.

Although neither man spins the ball huge amounts or has a wrong'un which will keep batsmen sleepless at night, both have a fighting spirit and a will to win. When asked what his best asset was as a spin bowler, Dom Bess replied "Being competitive, getting in the battle, creating chances". This mentality will be key in India, as things aren't always going to go to plan against such a quality batting line-up. 'Getting in a battle' as Bess puts it will be needed in spades.