Blow to ENG: Left arm spinner ruled out of IND series

England women team has received a massive blow as left arm spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone has been ruled out of the remaining of the India series due to an injury. Ecclestone has fractured her left hand and will return to England. In her absence Linsey Smith will be available for selection.

Sophie Ecclestone ruled out of the remaining series

The left-arm spinner had suffered an injury while warming up for the second ODI against India but she played the game. However scans have revealed that she has fractured the fifth metacarpal on her right hand. And thus she will fly back to England.

The left-arm spinner picked two wickets in the first ODI but went wicket-less in the second game. Ecclestone has featured in 15 ODIs so far and has claimed 25 wickets at an impressive average of 18.96.

She has also featured in 19 T20Is and has 24 wickets under her belt at an average of 20.04.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who is not officially part of the ODI squad, will be available for selection for the third ODI.

More details here?? #INDWvENGW https://t.co/teY7ruMrS3

— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) February 26, 2019

England’s injury woes continue

The visitors are having a tough time in this series against India as they have already lost the first two ODIs and injury concerns have plagued their spin-bowling department.

England have already lost off-spinner Laura Marsh due to an injury and now they have lost Ecclestone.

Speaking about Marsh, England skipper Heather Knight had said that yes they have lost the option of the ball going away from the left-handers with Laura picking up the injury.

She admitted that yeah, her absence potentially cost them a little bit and losing Laura was a big disappointment for them.

Linsey Smith available for selection

In the absence of Laura Marsh and Ecclestone, the visitors have only two spinners in their squad left-armer Alex Hartley and legspinning-allrounder Sophia Dunkley.

Also read:Blow to ENG: Star all-rounder doubtful for 4th ODI vs Windies

Hence Linsey Smith who is also a left-arm spinner will be available for the selection. She is not part of the ODI squad but is currently travelling with the team to get acclimatized to the conditions.