London [UK], July 13: England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir sustained a finger injury during the third day of the ongoing Lord’s Test against India after a fierce drive by Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja struck him on his left hand.
The incident occurred during a caught-and-bowled attempt, where Jadeja’s low straight drive hit Bashir’s little finger, causing what appeared to be a dislocation. Bashir immediately signalled to the England dressing room and left the field. Joe Root completed the remainder of the over.
According to a statement issued by England Cricket on Day 4, “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.”
Despite initial hopes that Bashir would return for the third session, he did not take the field and instead remained with substitute fielders. On the morning of Day 4, he was seen bowling in the nets with heavy strapping on his fingers, though his participation as a batter remains uncertain.
Bashir has so far taken nine wickets in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at an average of 59.44, including the dismissal of KL Rahul on Day 3. If he is ruled out of the next Test at Old Trafford, England may consider spin alternatives like Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed, or Liam Dawson.
Earlier in the match, England posted a first-innings total of 387, led by Joe Root’s 104, with valuable contributions from Ollie Pope (44), Brydon Carse (52), and Jamie Smith (55). At stumps on Day 3, England stood at 2/0 in their second innings, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett at the crease.