Ashes hopeful in doubt with finger injury

Haseeb Hameed, a contender for England's Magellan Ashes tour to Australia, suffered a fractured finger batting for Lancashire against Middlesex at Lord's on Thursday.

"We can confirm that @LancsCCC opener Haseeb Hameed has fractured a finger on his right hand at Lord's," said a statement on Lancashire's Twitter feed after close of play in their County Championship match.

The opener retired hurt after being struck on the glove by James Harris on the third day of the First Division match.

Hameed's injury came just two days after Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones, a likely candidate for a place in the Ashes squad, suffered a lower back problem requiring scans to discover the full extent of the damage.

The 20-year-old Hameed had to fly home early from England's tour of India late last year for an operation on a broken left hand.

He has yet to add to the three Test caps he won in India following a poor start to the domestic county season.

But with England still having several doubts over top order positions, Hameed has been touted to be included in the Ashes-holders' squad for a five-Test series starting in November.

Thursday saw Hameed resume his innings in a bid to stave off defeat but he was left not out as Middlesex completed a 36-run win with England paceman Steven Finn taking 8-79.

Victory boosts the champions' hopes of retaining their place among the elite - a win over fellow relegation rivals Somerset, who finished runners-up last season, would ensure their survival.

"With only three bowlers it was important we all stood up," said Finn, a member of three previous Ashes-winning sides.

"We stuck to our plans and that paid dividends.

"It was a big game for the club. We came into it really needing the points. And it was about time I did something for the boys this season. I felt I bowled pretty consistently."

England's selectors now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of Hameed's injury, with the Ashes squad due to be announced next week.

Meanwhile, Stuart Broad has revealed he will return to bowling on October 10 ahead of the Ashes.

Broad sustained a heel injury while playing against West Indies at Lords in August and while precautionary scans showed there was no serious injury, it was decided he would not play any competitive cricket until the Ashes.

"I had a scan on my heel last week and got some pretty good news. I have a bit of bone bruising but a couple of weeks off the impact of fast bowling and that will heal quite nicely," Broad told Sky Sports.

"I'm back to bowling on October 10, I think, in a net outdoors at Loughborough University."

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21