Jennings, Dawson to replace injured Hameed, Ansari for India Tests

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday named opener Keaton Jennings and spinner Liam Dawson as replacements for injured Haseeb Hameed and Zafar Ansari for the remaining two Tests against India.

England were jolted by a series of casualties during their ongoing tour with 19-year-old opener Hameed fracturing his little finger during the third Test in Mohali and left-arm spinner Ansari suffering from a back injury.

Hameed, who is set to return home for surgery on his finger, battled through the pain to score 59 not out in England's second innings. He scored 219 runs in his three Tests at an average of 43.80.

In addition to the duo, all-rounder Chris Woakes was diagnosed with a small crack in his right thumb sustained while batting in Mohali but England hopes to have him fit by the fourth Test, which starts in Mumbai from December 8.

Left-handed opening batsman Keaton Jennings, son of former South Africa coach Ray Jennings, captained South Africa at under-19 level before serving a four-year qualification period to be eligible for England.

The 24-year-old is currently with the England Lions squad and is set to make his debut against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. He is due to join the English squad on December 5.

Dawson made his One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International debuts for England last summer after impressing on last winter's Lions programme in the UAE. He is also expected to arrive in Mumbai early next week.

--IANS

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