Jennings could make his Test debut in the fourth Test against India

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England have called up the uncapped duo of Keaton Jennings and Liam Dawson for the last two Tests against India, which will be held in Mumbai and Chennai respectively.

Jennings’ maiden call-up to the national team stems from his sensation season with Durham in the County Championship, where he was the competition’s leading run-scorer with 1,602 runs at a brilliant average of 64.08.

With the 24-year-old being an opening batsman, he is likely to replace Haseeb Hameed, who will be flying back home to undergo surgery on his hand.

Dawson, meanwhile, has represented England in one ODI and a single Twenty20 International, but has yet to make his Test debut.

The 26-year-old’s inclusion in the squad comes after all-rounder Zafar Ansari was ruled out for the remainder of the series with a back injury.

Since Dawson can bat and bowls left-arm spin like Ansari, he could be line to feature in the longest format of the game for the first time. As for his record in this year’s County Championship, the Swindon native, who plys his trade with Hampshire, accumulated 644 runs, which included one century and five fifties, at an average of 33.89. He also took 20 wickets at an average of 43.85.

Both Jennings and Dawson are expected to arrive in Mumbai early next week ahead of the fourth Test, which begins on December 8.

England currently trail 2-0 in the ongoing five-Test series and must win the fourth Test if they are to avoid losing the series.