Mohammed Shami unlikely for England Test series; ability to bowl long spells a concern

WITH just few days left before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) picks its squad for the five-match Test series against England, it is learnt that the senior selection committee is likely to leave out ace pacer Mohammed Shami from the tour.

- GNS News Agency, May 28

BCCI’s medical team has informed the Indian board that the 34-year-old pacer won't be able to bowl longer spells. Chances of him playing all the five Test matches are bleak too, going ahead. There were deliberations over taking Shami along with the Indian team and playing him in few games. However, with Jasprit Bumrah already informing the board that his body can't take the toll of more than three Tests matches, the selection committee were known to be in a dilemma on whether to fly out with a similarly iffy bowler, who might only play few games. It hampers the planning of the Indian side too.It is understood that selectors want fit bowlers flying with the Indian side, who can bowl longer spells if needed. “Shami is bowling four overs in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad but the board and selectors don’t know whe