Back-ups named for Mortaza, Flintoff

Two major players for their respective teams have been injured in the respective first test match of their series and cover has been called for both!

Andrew Flintoff hurt his knee again in the first test match against Australia and if reports are to be believed, is in serious doubt for the second test match to be played at Lord’s. Steve Harmison has been called up to act as a cover for him, though it is now known how will the England selectors fit him in the line-up with the presence of Graham Onions already existent. >

Flintoff looked to be a good batting option at the number seven position for the hosts, and in his absence, England may need to do some soul searching for four versus five frontline bowlers theory.

In West Indies, Mashrafe Mortaza was named as the captain of the Bangladeshi side playing a two-test and a five ODI series, but rather surprisingly, he also injured his knee mid-way through his first game as captain.

The mantle of captaincy was taken over by Shakib-al-Hasan, while Nazmul has been called up as cover in case Mortaza does not recover by the time the second test match is around.

The second test match starts in St. George’s on Friday.