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England Test: At 41, James Anderson to face India at Vizag, Ben Stokes confirms

Anderson will replace Mark Wood as England's lone fast bowler

England's James Anderson celebrates after taking five wickets in the first innings during the second day of the second Test against India at Lord's cricket ground in London | AP

Shoaib Bashir will make his delayed Test debut against India on Friday, while veteran James Anderson will replace Mark Wood as England's lone fast bowler in the second match of the series in Visakhapatnam, captain Ben Stokes said.

Off-spinner Bashir missed the opening test in Hyderabad - where England registered one of their greatest away wins - following a visa delay. The 20-year-old will replace Somerset teammate Jack Leach, who hurt his left knee while fielding in Hyderabad, where England grabbed a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

"The forced change, Bash coming in for Leachy, was a simple one: one spinner out, one spinner in," Stokes told reporters on Thursday. "He (Bashir) looked very excited."

Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley retained their places in England's spin-heavy attack with Joe Root as a potent part-time option.

James Anderson will be playing his 184th test and Stokes said the 41-year-old's experience would come in handy as England bid to end India's record of not losing a test series at home since 2012.

"Bringing Jimmy in, we just feel like there's a bit more I can turn to him for," Stokes said. "Not only his new ball skills - reverse skills, his off-cutter skills and stuff like that."

India are without all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and batter KL Rahul, both of whom suffered injuries in Hyderabad. They were already without batting mainstay Virat Kohli, who is unavailable for the first two tests for personal reasons.