Picture Credit: Twitter/ECB
After Stuart Broad complained of a calf injury during the training session ahead of the second Test, England have decided to include a cover for him. The Lancashire pacer Saqib Mahmood has been added to England's squad as a cover for Stuart Broad ahead of the second Test. Also, spinner Dom Bess has been left out of the squad and will have to return to Yorkshire.
Saqib Mahmood had an impressive run in the limited-overs series against Pakistan earlier this year. The 24-year-old right-arm quick is a good handler of the cricket ball and is capable of providing crucial breakthroughs at junctures. In the ODI series against Pakistan, he dismissed Pak skipper Babar Azam twice in three matches. He was also the highest wicket-taker in the series, with 9 wickets from three matches and hence was named Player of the Series. He is yet to make a Test debut but has impressive numbers in first-class cricket. He has 65 wickets from 22 games at an average of 12.76.
Meanwhile, Dom Bess has been asked to return to Yorkshire. England have brought in Moeen Ali, who will fill the place for a spinner.
India also in trouble with Shardul Thakur's injury concerns
England have roped in a good cover for Stuart Broad in the form of Saqib Mahmood. On the other hand, India are also in trouble with pacer Shardul Thakur suffering from a hamstring injury. Thakur was impressive in the first game as he claimed four wickets combined in the two innings. He dismissed Joe Root off a very good in-seamer in the first innings. With him not available, India may have to bring in Ashwin for the second game. However, Virat Kohli has hinted that India wants to stick to the four seamers one spinner combination. Thus, it becomes interesting to see who finds a place in the playing XI for the second Test that starts tomorrow at Lord's.