ENG vs IND | England spinner Shoaib Bashir races against time to be fit for second essay

‌The England cricket team will have their fingers crossed as they await their lead spinner Shoaib Bashir to regain full fitness in the third test at Lord’s. Bashir injured his little finger on the left hand while bowling against India on day three as he tried to stop a full-blooded drive from Ravindra Jadeja.

Bashir immediately called for the physio's attention before walking off the field as Joe Root bowled the last ball to complete the off-spinner’s over. Bashir’s fitness will be key to the hosts’ fortunes in the ongoing Test, with the uncharacteristically hot conditions resulting in enough wear and tear on the surface.

England finished day three at 2/0, with the scores being level after the first innings of both sides, and the spinners expected to get some assistance from the wicket on the last two days. The England Cricket Board, however, sounded confident that the lanky spinner would be fit to take the field in the final innings of the game but uncertainties still loomed over his batting in England’s second essay. Bashir bowled on a practice wicket ahead of play on the fourth morning with heavy strapping on his fourth and fifth fingers. 

"Following his left little finger injury, Shoaib Bashir continues to be monitored and is expected to bowl in the fourth innings of this Test. A decision on whether he will bat in the third innings will be made in due course. His involvement in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford will be assessed at the end of the match," quoted an ECB statement on the fourth morning.