Giles predicts turn

The conventional swing at Edgbaston has reduced significantly after the construction of a new eye-catching four-storey 32-million pound pavilion since England played here last 12 months ago. But the new sand-based outfield has resulted in dry pitches, which will help the spinners turn and offer an abrasive surface that provides reverse swing to pacers.

“The ball has always swung at Edgbaston, the difference this year is the wind swirls around more inside the bowl than it did because the prevailing wind comes from the direction of the new stand,” Warwickshire’s director of cricket Ashley Giles, who is also an England selector, was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.