England pacer Saqib Mahmood has been drafted in the Test squad as cover for veteran fast-bowler Stuart Broad for the Lord’s Test against India, announced England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday. England and India will play the second Test of the five-match series at Lord’s, London on August 12.
Stuart Board is doubtful for the second Test after injuring his calf. He will be going for a scan on Wednesday to know the extent of his injury.
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Broad played in the first Test at Trent Bridge and went wicketless in the first innings. He dismissed KL Rahul in the second innings what was the only Indian wicket of the second innings before rain washed out the final day’s play to force a draw.
The lanky pacer felt some discomfort in his calf during the net session at Lord’s on Tuesday. He was expected to play the second Test what would have been his career’s 150th Test match. He will be assessed on the morning of the Test regarding his participation in the game. Thus, ECB called in Saqib Mahmood on precautionary measures.
Mahmood hasn’t made his Test debut yet but has featured in the white-ball setup for England. He, recently, was named the player of the series in the ODI series against Pakistan.
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Earlier, ECB called in Moeen Ali for the second Test who is likely to be included in the playing XI straightaway. India was bossing the Nottingham Test and England set them a target of 209 in the fourth innings after Joe Root’s sensational century.
India wiped 52 runs out of the target by the stumps of day four and was needed another 157 runs with nine wickets in hand while Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were batting on the crease. The persistent rain in Nottingham didn’t allow a single ball to be bowled on the final day and the game was called a draw. The series stands at level with 0-0 and both teams will be eyeing to take the lead in Lord’s Test.
