Published: Feb 22, 2017, 06:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 22, 2017, 06:04 PM (IST)
England opener Haseeb Hameed has withdrawn from Marylebone Cricket Club’s XI for the Champion County match against Middlesex next month to have sinus surgery, it was announced Wednesday. Hameed, 20, has been replaced by Yorkshire’s Alex Lees in the MCC squad for the day/night match in Abu Dhabi from March 26-29. Lancashire rising star Hameed’s brief career has been marked by injury problems. After impressing as a 19-year-old on England’s tour of India late last year, Hameed missed the final two Tests of a 4-0 series defeat after suffering a broken finger while batting.
He had recently been working his way back to fitness with the second-string England Lions in Sri Lanka. England Under-19s captain Matt Fisher, also in MCC’s original team, has pulled out because of a groin problem. Fisher will be replaced by Yorkshire and England fast bowler Liam Plunkett in the traditional curtain-raiser to the English season, which has been staged in Abu Dhabi since 2009.
“Of course it is a shame that Haseeb and Matt have had to withdraw from the squad, but we have two excellent replacements in Liam and Alex who will add experience and firepower,” said MCC head of cricket John Stephenson. “Our team is full of exciting young English cricketers and I am really looking forward to seeing them in what should be a very competitive and engaging match,” the former England batsman added.
