Wicket-keeper Ben Fox out of Test series against New Zealand

England wicketkeeper batsman Ben Fox has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand due to an injury to his left hamstring. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed this and informed Fox of abstaining from cricket for the next three weeks. Fox is believed to have been injured due to foot slips while going to the dressing room after Surrey’s County Championship match against Middlesex at the Oval on Sunday. Surrey medical team will now work on their injury assessment and rehabilitation.

It is noteworthy that Fox was at the forefront of the list of wicketkeepers in the first Test match against New Zealand. It would have been his first Test at home. He has played eight Tests so far, in which he has impressed everyone in difficult situations behind the bat and stumps. Uncapped wicket-keeper batsman Sam Billings has been called in as a replacement for the England squad after Fox’s exit, although James Bracey, who was already part of the squad, is expected to play a wicket-keeper in the England XI.

Meanwhile, Haseeb Hameed has also made a comeback to the England Test team, which last played the Test in November 2016. Hameed has been in impressive form during the county season of 2021 scoring 474 runs at an average of 52.66 and this has led to his return to the team. He will join the England team on Sunday after playing a County Championship match for Nottinghamshire against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.