England's Ben Foakes Ruled Out Of New Zealand Tests, Unlikely To Play Series Against India

England has called up wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and top-order batsman Haseeb Hameed as wicket-keeper Ben Foakes has been ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after tearing his hamstring.

Foakes sustained the injury on Sunday slipping in the dressing room after Surrey’s match against Middlesex at the Kia Oval. He will now be assessed and rehabilitate with the Surrey medical team and is likely to be out of action for at least three months.

Foakes was all set to play his first Test in England next month at Lord’s being the first choice keeper after his impressive show against India earlier this year in tough conditions. 

Hameed has been in impressive form during the 2021 county season where he has scored 474 runs at an average of 52.66. He made his test debut in 2016 against India away from home and played three matches in that series. However, since then it's the first he has been called up by the England team. 

Sam Billings hasn't made his Test debut as of yet. 

The first test match between England and New Zealand will be played from 2nd June followed by the second test at Edgbaston on 10th June.