Tuesday 15 September 2015 8:23 pm

England in UAE 2015: Zafar Ansari Test bow placed in doubt by cruel injury

All-rounder Zafar Ansari suffered a cruel injury blow just hours after receiving his maiden Test call-up which threatens to thwart his chances of featuring for England against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates this autumn.

Ansari, who has scored more than 700 runs and taken 44 wickets this season, hurt his bowling hand while fielding for Surrey in their County Championship clash against Lancashire at Old Trafford yesterday.

“It didn’t look very good. He was in a lot of pain in the dressing room,” said Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart. “What should have been a day of celebration, we are now hoping he will be okay. The way he was, there must be some doubt.”

Batsman Alex Hales, who averages 52.11 in the County Championship this season, is the other uncapped player in England’s 16-man party and is in contention to partner skipper Alastair Cook at the top of the order. The inclusion of Hales means there is no place for fellow opener Adam Lyth following an underwhelming Ashes series, while fellow Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance has also been omitted.

Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor has earned a recall for the series which begins in Abu Dhabi on 13 October.

All-rounder Ben Stokes has been rested from both limited-overs squads, to which Joe Root returns.