Chennai: England pace spearhead Jofra Archer, batsman Rory Burns and all-rounder Ben Stokes will begin their training on Saturday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the upcoming first Test against India starting February 5.
While England's touring contingent has arrived in Chennai on Wednesday, and currently in quarantine, Stokes, Archer, and Burns touched down in India earlier as their teammates were wrapping up the 2-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka.
The trio will practice in the morning for the next three days to get into the groove ahead of the four-match Test series.
"Three players from the England touring party are set to train this morning at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Jofra Archer, Rory Burns, and Ben Stokes," said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) media team on Saturday.
"The first group of players - Archer, Burns, and Stokes - will practice each morning for the next three days. They are limited to a two-hour session," it added.
Meanwhile, the entire visiting contingent has detected negative for coronavirus in their second PCR COVID-19 test done on Friday.
"The entire England touring party received their second PCR COVID-19 test yesterday. All results returned negative results," said ECB media.
The first Test of the four-match series will begin at the MA Chidambaram Stadium from February 5, while the second Test will start from February 13 at the same venue.
Earlier, ECB clarified that Jonny Bairstow would return for the third and fourth Test after assistant batting coach Graham Thorpe said the batsman could join the squad following the first Test.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: No change in plan, Bairstow to join team for third and fourth Test
The England selectors and team management faced criticism for resting Bairstow for the first two Tests against India. Thorpe defended the team's decision to rest Bairstow for the first two Tests given the bio-bubble situation forced by the coronavirus pandemic.
"To clarify, the plan is still for Jonny Bairstow to return for the third and fourth Test and not the second Test. Along with Sam Curran and Mark Wood," the ECB media team said after Thorpe's comments.
India and England play four Tests, followed by five T20Is and three ODIs. After the first two matches in Chennai, both India and England will move to Ahmedabad for the third and fourth Test.
Ahmedabad will host all the five T20I matches, while the three ODIs will take place in Pune.
