(Cricket News) The recent development of England’s Shoaib Bashir’s upset stomach has thrown the team’s preparations for the fifth Test against India into a looper. England are still optimistic that Bashir will be available for the important game despite this setback.

The unanticipated health problems surfaced on Wednesday morning when both seamer Ollie Robinson and Bashir woke up feeling sick, missing the afternoon practice. To avoid any possible epidemic, the two have been kept apart from the rest of the crew as a precaution.

Although Mark Wood has taken Robinson’s spot, England is keen to retain Bashir as one of their two spinners, along with slow left-armer Tom Hartley. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, stated that he is confident in Bashir’s recuperation and that there is no reason for fear.

It is not really anything to worry about, in my opinion. We have made the decision to keep them away from the team the day before the game because we do not want to endanger anyone. It makes sense to act in this way. You want to reduce the possibility of it spreading when there are so many individuals confined in one area at once, according to Stokes.

Stokes underlined the necessity of reducing the possibility of disease spreading among the team while highlighting the significance of player safety.Stokes went on, “It is not a big deal; we simply wanted to make sure that nothing got to other people.”

Even after the setback when two umpires who were staying at the team hotel also became ill, Stokes talked down the likelihood of last-minute adjustments. Due to the illnesses of TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena and on-field official Joel Wilson, fourth umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal may be placed on standby.

Regarding backup plans, Stokes clarified, “I have not thought too far ahead,” showing his confidence in the group’s adaptability. After choosing not to bring in replacements for Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed, who went home, England are already down to two frontline spinners.

With milder weather, the gorgeous HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, which is tucked away in the Himalayan foothills, offers a special challenge. Stokes stated that he had rethought his original plan to use three seamers and one spinner due to the state of the pitch, calling it a “total belter” for batting.

“Playing two seamers and having Bash and Tom offers us a decent mixture when you are not quite sure what it will do as the Test progresses,” said Stokes.

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