Haseeb Hameed’s broken finger adds to England’s Ashes selection worries
Lancashire opener is hit on the right hand by Middlesex seamer James Harris as injuries and loss of form dent the tourists' preparations for Australia
HASEEB HAMEED suffered a broken finger yesterday as England’s Ashes selection continues to be hit by injury and loss of form.
The Lancashire opener was struck on the right hand by Middlesex seamer James Harris – and an x-ray revealed the break.
Hameed retired hurt but came out again at No.11 although he could not stop Middlesex securing the win that should ensure their division one survival in the county championship.
Hameed’s injury is on the other hand from the broken finger that forced him home for surgery from the tour of India last winter.
Although Hameed, 20, is less than a 50-50 chance for the Ashes squad and might be fit in time anyway for the October 28 departure, his injury sums up the raft of problems confronting the selectors.
It means the meeting early next week to finalist the party could last a long time. The squad – probably 16 names – is expected to be unveiled on Wednesday.
Most of the other batsmen in contention for a place – such as Tom Westley, Keaton Jennings and Dawid Malan – are short of runs while Gary Ballance has hardly played since breaking his finger more than two months ago.
Only Surrey opener Mark Stoneman has been in strong form recently and he is one of just three specialist batsmen certain to make the trip – alongside captain Joe Root and former captain Alastair Cook.
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Alex Hales will be discussed and he struck a couple of crisp boundaries in the 2.2 overs play possible in the second one-day international against West Indies at Trent Bridge.
England reached 21-0 when the rain arrived and the players never returned. It means England still lead the series 1-0 with three matches to go, the next of which is in Bristol on Sunday.
, who played four Tests this summer, did not bowl as Middlesex beat Lancashire by 36 runs at Lord’s and his injury was initially feared to be a side strain. Tests have instead revealed a back problem, which is less serious.
In his absence, Steven Finn took 8-79 and showed that, if a quick bowling berth for Australia becomes available, he could be the man.
Mark Wood is scheduled to play his second match for Durham on Monday following a six-week absence with a heel problem, which he attributes to wearing ill-fitting boots.
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