As India A and England Lions gear up for the second unofficial Test at the County Ground in Northampton from June 6 to 9, 2025, both teams are poised to fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming senior Test series. The first match in Canterbury concluded in a high-scoring draw, highlighting the batting prowess on both sides and underscoring the need for bowlers to adapt and find breakthroughs on placid surfaces.
Match Details
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Dates: June 6–9, 2025
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Venue: County Ground, Northampton
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Start Time: 10:30 am GMT / 11:00 am local / 3:30 pm IST
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Live Streaming: Sony LIV (India), ECB website (International)
First Test Recap: Batters Dominate in Canterbury
The opening match saw India A’s batting lineup shine, with Karun Nair leading the charge with a double century. Contributions from Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal further solidified their innings. However, the bowlers found it challenging to make significant inroads on a flat pitch.
England Lions responded robustly, with Tom Haines anchoring their innings with a substantial hundred, supported by Dan Mousley’s impressive performance. Their bowlers, led by Josh Hull, toiled hard for wickets, reflecting the batting-friendly nature of the pitch.
Team News and Key Players
India A
India A enters the second Test with a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents. Karun Nair’s recent form has been exceptional, amassing 863 runs in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season at an average of 54, including four centuries.
The inclusion of KL Rahul provides experience to the batting lineup, while Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to impress with his consistency. In the bowling department, Harshit Rana, who made his international debut in 2024, brings pace and aggression.
England Lions
The Lions have bolstered their squad with the experienced Chris Woakes, returning from an ankle injury. Young talents like Farhan Ahmed, who made his first-class debut in 2024, add depth to the bowling attack. thesun.co.uk
Tom Haines and Dan Mousley remain pivotal in the batting order, aiming to replicate their performances from the first Test.
Pitch Report: County Ground, Northampton
The County Ground in Northampton is known for its batting-friendly conditions, often yielding high scores. While pacers may find some assistance early on, spinners are expected to play a more significant role as the match progresses. The surface tends to favor batsmen, making it imperative for bowlers to be precise and patient.
Squads
India A:
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Abhimanyu Easwaran (c)
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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Karun Nair
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Sarfaraz Khan
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Dhruv Jurel (wk)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Shardul Thakur
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Harsh Dubey
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Anshul Kamboj
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Harshit Rana
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Mukesh Kumar
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KL Rahul
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Ishan Kishan
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Khaleel Ahmed
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Tushar Deshpande
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Akash Deep
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Manav Suthar
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Tanush Kotian
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Ruturaj Gaikwad
England Lions:
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Tom Haines
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Ben McKinney
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Emilio Gay
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Max Holden
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James Rew (c & wk)
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Jordan Cox
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Chris Woakes
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Josh Tongue
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Ajeet Dale
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Farhan Ahmed
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Rocky Flintoff
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Edward Jack
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George Hill
What to Expect
With both teams eager to secure a win before the senior Test series, the second unofficial Test promises competitive cricket. India A will look to their experienced batters to set the tone, while England Lions aim to capitalize on home conditions. The performance of bowlers on a batting-friendly pitch will be crucial in determining the outcome.
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