by England is most likely without her spinner Shoaib Bashir for the fourth test in Old Trafford a week on Wednesday and possibly for the rest of the series against India.
On the third day, Bashir hit his left pinkie finger at Lords. Although he appeared on the border, he did not return to the field and was sent to a scan in the evening.
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The scan has not proven to be conclusive, whereby a declaration of England says that it “continues to be monitored”.
It also added that Bashir is “expected to roll in the fourth inning roles”, but “a decision about whether he will beat in the third inning” is made in due course “.
The injury is for the left hand – not its bowling hand – but it will influence its ability to field and racket – also as No. 11 – for the rest of the series. Jamie Overton suffered a right pinkie injury (his bowling hand), which played for England’s Odi team, and has been playing cricket for more than a month.
England has invested a lot in Bashir in the past 18 months after selecting it via Jack Leach last summer. Against India he had a curious series, Bowling 135 Tidy Over, but only nine gates with 59.
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England could turn to the constant hand of Leach, but also consider the leg spinner Rehan Ahmed or the all-rounder Liam Dawson, who has been back in the white ball setup since 2017, but has not played test cricket since 2017.
After the second test in Edgbaston, coach Brendon McCullum concluded that Jacob Bethell was brought into his side based on his Linkarmspins, and said he was only fighting for a place as a punch in the top Seven. Maybe that could change this week.
Analysis: Who could replace Bashir?
Jack Leach
Jack Leach was unhappy to be dropped last year and would represent a solid choice for the deputy for Bashir – Getty Images/Stu Forster
Leach is a veteran of 39 tests that lasted the bad luck last year after he had received an injury on the India tour. If the captain’s favorite, Ben Stokes, is loved by fans and knows the team environment well. Would be the simplest replacement for his Somerset teammate.
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Liam Dawson
Liam Dawson has impressed Liam Dawson in England in WHITE BALL SETUP-GTY IMAGES /STU Forster
England opposed Bazball regime against Dawson in the first three years, despite its brilliant returns on the home level. He delivers a very solid spin for the left arm and is a fine bat who would integrate into this team at the age of 8. With Chris Woakes under his best, this could be an attractive option. Test cricket that has not been played since 2017, but he has successfully returned to the white ball setup under McCullum in the past few months.
Rehane Ahmed
Rehan Ahmed’s wrist spin would give England’s attack a new dimension – Getty Images/Stu Forster
England Love Ahmed and his younger brother Farhan. The wrist spin would give the team an attacking dimension, but the problem is that he just doesn’t hurt much for Leicestershire. However, his eyelash has come to masses since he moved to No. 3 at the beginning of this year.
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No spinner
England could add another sailor to her attack and rely on Joe Root’s shoot. But that contradicts Stokes’ conviction that you should always have a specialist in your team, and makes little sense when a hot summer dresses, especially in view of the parking spaces in Old Trafford.
