ENG vs IND, 3rd Test: Pacer Mahmood Set To Replace Wood, Malan Also Likely In XI

Cricket Image for ENG vs IND, 3rd Test: Pacer Mahmood Set To Replace Wood, Malan Also Likely In XI (Image Source: Google)

Pace bowler Saqib Mahmood is set to get his maiden Test cap after fellow pacer Mark Wood was ruled out of the third Test against India to be played here at Headingley from Wednesday, England captain Joe Root has hinted. Batsman Dawid Malan is also set to feature in the playing XI.

The right-arm pace bowler from Birmingham has played seven ODIs and nine T20 Internationals for England and had burst into limelight with a four-wicket haul in an ODI against Pakistan in July.

"I feel like Saqib couldn't be in a better place to play Test cricket. We look at how he has progressed over the last couple of years across all the formats. The opportunities that he has taken which he has been given is exceptional," said England skipper Joe Root to media during a virtual interaction.

"He went into that one-day series [against Pakistan] as probably the most experienced player and the go-to seamer and was under pressure. It is just great to see the strength and depth, and him developing the way he has developed over a period of time," added Root.

Mahmood, who is strongly-built and bowls at an impressive pace, picked nine wickets during the three-match ODI series that England won.
Root said missing the second Test is frustrating for Mark Wood, who bowled in India's second innings of the second Test despite pain.

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