India lose Zaheer Khan to hamstring injury for second Test
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Page last updated at 12:31 GMT, Thursday, 28 July 2011 13:31 UK
Second Test: England v India
- Venue: Trent Bridge
- Date: 29 July - 2 August
- Start time: 1100 BST
- Coverage: Live ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave & BBC Sport website; live video scorecard on Red Button (not Freeview); live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobile; watch live on Sky Sports (subscription required); highlights on Channel 5
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Strauss discusses Tremlett fitness battle
India bowler Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of Friday's second Test against England because of a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old left-arm pace bowler picked up the injury during the first Test at Lord's last week.England have concerns over Chris Tremlett, who pulled up with back and hamstring trouble on Thursday, for the match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
"We expect him to be fit but obviously we'll see in the morning," said England captain Andrew Strauss.
Left-armer Zaheer impressed initially at Lord's with an excellent new-ball spell which saw him dismiss both England openers, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, before pulling up clutching his hamstring in his 14th over.
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Tremlett has yet to be formally ruled out of the game, but given he was unable to bowl a full stint in the nets it seems far too great a risk for England to take
"It's a bit disappointing not to have him for selection but it is something that is beyond our control and it gives a chance to the other bowlers to prove their mettle when it comes to international cricket."
Despite missing out at Trent Bridge, Dhoni is confident that Zaheer will be fit enough to play in the third Test, starting at Edgbaston on 10 August.
"We are expecting that. It is something we can't be 100% sure about, but most likely it seems he will," Dhoni added.
With Zaheer out, India are likely to choose between back-up bowlers Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.
New India coach Duncan Fletcher showed a clear preference for pace during his time in charge of England, suggesting the brisker - but more unpredictable - Sreesanth could get the nod.
India also have injury problems among their batting line-up, with Dhoni telling reporters that Gautam Gambhir is "doubtful at this stage" to play in the second Test as he recovers from a badly bruised elbow.
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Anderson tells England to 'hit reset button'
The 6ft 7in paceman had already missed training on Wednesday with a tight hamstring and only netted briefly at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
But Strauss added: "I think he's fine, obviously he's had a bit of a niggle with his hamstring. He's just getting a massage and will be coming out for a bit of a bowl later.
"At the moment we expect him to be fit for tomorrow but obviously like all these things we'll see in the morning - we're confident he should be OK.
"You've always got to weigh these things in, it's a short turn-around between Test matches but we're not going to pick someone in the side unless we're sure he is 100% fit and able to get through the full five days."
Earlier in the summer, Surrey paceman Tremlett took career best Test figures of 6-48 against Sri Lanka.
England (from): Strauss (captain), Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Prior (wkt), Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Tremlett
India (from): Dhoni (captain, wkt), Mukund, Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Harbajhan Singh, Kumar, Sreesanth, Sharma, Gambhir, Patel
Umpires: A Rauf (Pak) and M Erasmus (SA)
Third umpire: B Bowden (NZ)
Match Referee: R Madugalle (SL)
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