England call up Dawson and Jennings

November 29 (ANI): Haseeb Hameed has been ruled out of the remaining two matches against India, confirmed England skipper Alastair Cook on Tuesday saying the 19-year-old batsman needs to return home to have surgery on his injured hand.

England trail India 2-0 with two Tests of the five-match series to play.

Yet as England consider over the next 24 hours who to call up in the 19-year-old’s place in time for the fourth Test in Mumbai, at least captain and coach know for sure after Hameed’s 59 not out that he is their man for the future at the top of the order.

Ansari’s replacement Dawson claimed just 20 first-class wickets last summer but has already been part of England’s limited overs squads, making debuts in one-day and Twenty20 cricket during the summer.

England will face India in the fourth Test in Mumbai from December 8.

The son of former South Africa coach Ray, Jennings was preferred ahead of Nick Gubbins, the left-handed batsman from Middlesex, and Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond.

And Zafar Ansari’s ongoing back problems have now ruled him out of the final two matches, prompting a summons for Hampshire’s Dawson, like Ansari an all-rounder who bowls slow left-arm.

From his own experience, Root believes there is no way anyone can avoid inevitable nerves – but harnessing them into a sense of enjoyment and excitement worked for him, when he began his Test career with a half-century at his first attempt in a series-sealing draw.

He said: “Andy Flower told me on Tuesday night”.

Generally, England are a competitive Test side and have enjoyed dominating India in their past few meetings, but times have changed.

England, who have given the players permission to travel to Dubai for a mid-tour break, also confirmed on Wednesday that Chris Woakes sustained a small fracture to his right thumb when batting during the defeat in Mohali but is considered fit for continued selection. Despite this, Dawson managed to trump Somerset spinner Jack Leach – the second highest wicket-taker in this season with 65 wickets in 15 matches at 21.87.

Jennings captained South Africa at under-19 level before moving to England in 2012. You can always go out, get a couple of good balls and that’s your lot.

It is a clear indication of just what an impact the young Boltonian has had on the England Test side that, when he returns to the United Kingdom to undergo surgery on his left hand, many will feel any hope of England salvaging a series draw go with him.