The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed that Ben Foakes has been ruled out of their upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Foakes tore his left hamstring and is expected to be out of action for three months. This also makes it unlikely for him to feature in the first Test match against India, starting 4 August at Trent Bridge.
Foakes sustained the injury on 23 May after slipping on socks while walking inside the dressing room during Surrey’s County Championship fixture against Middlesex. His assessment and rehabilitation will now be managed by the Surrey medical team.
Foakes has played eight Tests for England so far. In the absence of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler, he was the frontrunner for the wicketkeeper’s role in the New Zealand series. These would also have been his first Test matches at home.
His injury paved the way for 24-year-old James Bracey to debut behind the stumps. The ECB has also drafted in uncapped ’keeper Sam Billings to the squad. They have also recalled Haseeb Hameed, who has scored 474 runs at 52.66 for Nottinghamshire this season. All three of Hameed ‘s Test matches were in India in 2016/17.
Led by Joe Root, England will lock horns with New Zealand for a two-match Test series, from 2 June at Lord’s.