Ace cricketer Haseeb Hameed's tour of India has come to an end as he has gone back home for a much needed surgery on his injured hand. The 19 year old Hameed provided brave resistance on the fourth day in Mohali, with an unbeaten 59 off 156 balls. However, captain Alastair Cook said he needed a plate fitted to repair the injury.
"Unfortunately, he's got to go home and have a plate put in his hand, it's pretty bad. It's a real testament to his courage, and I've no doubt we'll see him again in an England shirt," Cook said. While Hameed was due for an X-ray after the third Test finished, it was instead done on the third day with the results sent back to the UK for assessment. The teenager had taken blows during the first two Tests, and was struck on the hand when dismissed in the first innings in Mohali. With an impressive start to his Test career after being overlooked for two Tests in Bangladesh, Hameed made 82 in the second innings of his Test debut in Rajkot, resisted for 144 balls as England attempted to bat out for a draw in Vizag.
The English team now need to consider a replacement worthy of Hameed, to the squad ahead of the Mumbai Test due on December 8. Under consideration are Ben Duckett, who opened in Bangladesh, but was dropped in Mohali in favour of Jos Buttler, and Gary Ballance who could come into the middle order if Root stays at opener. Most of the team will have a few days off before preparing for the upcoming match, but Stuart Broad has cancelled his holiday and will link up with the England Lions squad in the UAE to continue his rehab from the foot injury that ruled him out of Mohali.
