03:08
Compton: Root should be a permanent No. 4 for England
Chris Woakes has been diagnosed with a small crack in his right thumb sustained while batting in the third Test in Mohali.
Woakes, the England allrounder, was struck on the helmet by a well-directed bouncer from Mohammed Shami and, next ball, was stuck on the thumb as he tried to fend off another fine short ball. To add insult to injury, the ball lobbed to Parthiv Patel behind the wicket to end Woakes’ innings.
Woakes went for an X-ray after the game which showed what the England management are describing as a “tiny crack.”
Despite this, and some on-going trouble with a sore knee, England are hopeful Woakes will be fit for the fourth Test in Mumbai. That Test does not start until December 8 and the England squad has been given a few days off before resuming training with most heading to Dubai.
England are expected to announce a replacement for Haseeb Hameed, who is returning to England for an operation on his hand, on Wednesday afternoon (IST).
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo