England Faces Spinner Injury During Test Match

LONDON: England’s cricket team experienced a setback when their primary spin bowler, Shoaib Bashir, had to leave the field due to an injury on the third day of the ongoing third Test match against India at Lord’s on Saturday.

Bashir sustained an injury to his left little finger during the 78th over of India’s initial innings. The incident occurred when Ravindra Jadeja powerfully struck the ball back towards the bowler.

The right-arm spinner visibly showed signs of considerable pain following the impact and immediately departed from the field.

Consequently, Joe Root, an experienced batter, was called upon to fill the void, completing the over and serving as the team’s only spin option. Root bowled 10.1 overs, conceding just 35 runs.

The Lord’s Test is currently in a balanced state, with India being bowled out for 387 runs, matching England’s first-innings score.

KL Rahul, the opening batter for the visiting team, played a significant role, scoring 100 runs from 177 balls, including 13 boundaries.

Rishabh Pant, the in-form wicketkeeper-batter, and all-rounder Jadeja also provided valuable contributions, each scoring half-centuries.

Pant scored 74 runs from 112 deliveries, hitting eight fours and two sixes, while Jadeja took 131 balls to score 72, which included eight fours and a six.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, a batting all-rounder, contributed 30 runs, and Washington Sundar added 23 runs to the total.

Chris Woakes stood out as England’s top bowler in the first innings, claiming three wickets for 84 runs in his 27 overs. Jofra Archer and captain Ben Stokes each secured two wickets.

Shoaib Bashir, before his injury, and Brydon Carse each managed to take one wicket.