New Delhi: Injured England spinner Shoaib Bashir will be available for the remainder of their ongoing Test series against India.
The off-spinner suffered a fracture on his little finger of his left hand during the third Test at Lord’s that England won by 22 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series with two match still to be played.
“England men’s spinner Shoaib Bashir has sustained a fracture to his left finger and has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rothesay Test series against India. He is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week,” England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.
“England will name their squad for the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford in the next couple of days,” ECB said.
The fourth match begins in Manchester on July 23, which Bashir would have to sit out as he was hit on his finger while attempting to stop a powerful low drive from Ravindra Jadeja on the third day.
The 21-year-old could bowl only 5.5 overs in India’s second innings but picked up the last wicket as he bowled Mohammed Siraj to ensure a memorable win for England.
‘Excited to bowl team to victory’
England skipper Ben Stokes lauded Bashir’s courage for agreeing to bowl with injury.
“Bashir, it was written in the stars to take that last wicket. An absolute warrior,” he said.
The all-rounder, who was named man of the match, was glad he could make important contributions with the ball (five wickets overall), bat (44 and 33) and run out of Rishabh Pant to help his team win.
“I’ve taken myself to some pretty dark places, but if bowling your country to a Test match win doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what does,” he said after the match.
“With what was on the line… I was cooked yesterday, but the game was on the line, nothing was stopping me. I’m an all-rounder, I get four opportunities to influence the game, and if one thing doesn’t click..
“I’d like to score more runs, but you don’t have a chance to worry about anything.”