England batsman Haseeb Hameed breaks finger ahead of Ashes down under
By AFP | Published: 22nd September 2017 02:12 PM |
Last Updated: 22nd September 2017 02:12 PM | A+A A- |
England's Haseeb Hameed | AP
LONDON: Haseeb Hameed, a contender for England's Ashes tour to Australia, suffered a fractured finger batting for Lancashire against Middlesex at Lord's on Thursday.
"We can confirm that @LancsCCC opener Haseeb Hameed has fractured a finger on his right hand at Lord's," said a statement on Lancashire's Twitter feed after the close of play in their County Championship match.
The opener retired hurt after being struck on the glove by James Harris on the third day of the First Division match.
Hameed's injury came just two days after Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones, a likely candidate for a place in the Ashes squad, suffered a lower back problem requiring scans to discover the full extent of the damage.
The 20-year-old Hameed had to fly home early from England's tour of India late last year for an operation on a broken left hand.
He has yet to add to the three-Test caps he won in India following a poor start to the domestic county season.
But with England still having several doubts over top-order positions, Hameed has been touted to be included in the Ashes-holders' squad for a five-Test series starting in November.
Thursday saw Hameed resume his innings in a bid to stave off defeat but he was left not out as Middlesex completed a 36-run win with England paceman Steven Finn taking 8-79.
The victory boosts the champions' hopes of retaining their place among the elite -- a win over fellow relegation rivals Somerset, who finished runners-up last season, would ensure their survival.
"With only three bowlers it was important we all stood up," said Finn, a member of three previous Ashes-winning sides.
"We stuck to our plans and that paid dividends.
"It was a big game for the club. We came into it really needing the points. And it was about time I did something for the boys this season. I felt I bowled pretty consistently."
England's selectors now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of Hameed's injury, with the Ashes squad due to be announced next week.
