James Anderson doubtful for Lord's Test; England call up Saqib Mahmood as cover

The second Test between England and India will commence in less than 24 hours and the injury woes in the hosts’ camp are only increasing. Their senior seamer James Anderson missed the team’s training session on Wednesday and seems to be doubtful for the crucial game with a tight quad. Although, it is being told that the move was only precautionary, however, England have added Saqib Mahmood to the squad as cover.

The home side is already missing the likes of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes for different reasons. Moreover, Stuart Broad, another senior seam bowler, is doubtful after slipping while doing a light warm-up jogging. He is currently awaiting the results of his scans and it is being feared that he might have pulled his calf.

According to ESPNCricinfo, Broad could even miss the rest of the series if the injury is serious one. For now, there is every chance that England might have to take the field without both of their most experienced bowlers (Broad and Anderson) on Thursday.

How will England’s pace attack look like at Lord’s?

Saqib Mahmood might end up making a surprise Test debut with all these injury issues in the England camp. He was the shining light in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan earlier in the summer picking nine wickets at a brilliant average of 13.66. He will now link up with the squad on Wednesday and remains to be seen if the home side prefers him ahead of Craig Overton, another seamer already picked for the first two Tests.

England are set to recall all-rounder Moeen Ali in the middle-order probably in place of Dan Lawrence. There is also a chance that Haseeb Hameed will play his first Test since 2016 replacing Zak Crawley. Also, Sam Curran and Ollie Robinson should retain their place after a decent show in the first Test while Mark Wood should come in for Broad who will most likely at least miss the Lord’s Test. This leaves Mahmood and Overton fighting for the last place in the XI if Anderson is rested due to tight quad.