James Anderson in action. (Courtesy: @jimmy9/X)

Veteran England fast bowler James Anderson has not been included in the playing XI for the first Test against India in Hyderabad, starting from Thursday. The visitors have named a spin-heavy side which will suit the conditions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Mark Wood has been named as the lone fast bowler in the playing XI with Lancashire”s Tom Hartley set to make his Test debut. Alongside Hartley, Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed have been named as the other spinners. The 24-year-old debutant had said earlier that he would let the pitch do the talking for him.

“I’ve only been to India once but the pitches just allow you to fire it in, you don’t even have to think about flight or guile or anything like that. You just let the pitch do the work. In county cricket the pitches are a lot flatter, so spinners have to use their wits a bit more, whereas in India you’re the one who’s meant to be in control,” Hartley said in an interview to Wisden Cricket Monthly.

The visitors did not have the services of young Shoaib Bashir as he did not make it to India due to visa issues two days ahead of the first Test. He has flown home to sort out the visa issue and is likely to join the England squad ahead of the second Test in Vishakhapatnam.

England will have an option to bowl in-form of their captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes. However, Stokes recently underwent surgery on his left knee and confirmed that he will not bowl in the first Test.

England XI for 1st Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (Wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach