LONDON: England’s fast bowling contingent was dealt another blow with seamer Saqib Mahmood out for the season with a stress fracture in his back, the England Cricket Board said on Monday.

Lancashire bowler Mahmood last played for his county in April and complained of back pain, with scans revealing a fracture.

England return to action next month when world Test champions New Zealand begin a three-match tour at Lord’s on June 2 but fellow fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are also sidelined as they continue to recover from elbow surgeries at the start of Ben Stokes’ reign as Test captain.

“After being diagnosed with a lumbar stress fracture, England and Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out for the rest of the season,” the ECB said in a statement on Monday.

“No timeframe has been set for his [Mahmood’s] return. His ongoing rehabilitation will be co-managed between Lancashire and England medical teams.”

The 25-year-old quick, who has made just 28 first-class appearances since his Lancashire debut in 2016 and is capable of bowling at 90 miles per hour and generating reverse swing with the old ball, made his England Test debut earlier this year in the Caribbean.

Without the experienced James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who were dropped for the tour, Mahmood’s debut was the one bright spot in the bowling attack as England lost the three-Test series.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2022