With the ODI World Cup about to start on October 5 and England as the defending champions, Saurabh Ambatkar, India’s side-arm specialist, has been appointed. The Three Lions recruited him with the intention of effectively defending against left-arm seamers throughout the competition. Prior to the exhibition game against India, he traveled to Guwahati to join the team, and he will continue to do so during the remainder of the competition.
In modern cricket, there is notably a rise in sidearm specialists, which helps hitters realize where they need to improve. Meanwhile, Saurabh has experience working with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and may be a huge asset to England.
Because all four of the current England coaches throw with their right arm, they were looking for a left-handed specialist, and Saurabh is the ideal candidate.
The management of the club was aware of the skills he might bring to the table because he had previously worked with England manager Wayne Bentley at KKR.
Meanwhile, due to the success of players like Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, and Trent Boult against left-arm pacers, England has historically struggled against them. The team management chose to choose Saurabh because Starc, Boult, and Shaheen Shah Afridi could prove to be deadly against them in the 2023 edition.
Along with a side-arm expert, the Jos Buttler-led team has reportedly hired a local massage therapist, according to ESPNcricinfo. Mahesh Arya will join their medical staff and remain with the team throughout the competition. He will provide assistance to Mark Saxby, Craig de Weymarn, Andy Mitchell, the strength and conditioning coach, and Rob Young, the team physician.
In the meantime, England will play their opening match of the campaign against New Zealand in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. On the other side, their first warm-up match against India was postponed due to rain, but they defeated Bangladesh by a comfortable margin of four wickets in the subsequent match.
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