Ishant in fitness race

Bowling coach Joe Dawes is confident seamer Ishant Sharma will be fit for India's fourth Test against England, which will get underway at Old Trafford in Manchester on 7 August.
Bowling coach Joe Dawes is confident seamer Ishant Sharma will be fit for India's fourth Test against England, which will get underway at Old Trafford in Manchester on 7 August.
Sharma, who took a telling seven-wicket haul in the second innings of the second Test at Lord's in London, was ruled out of the third fixture at the Rose Bowl in Southampton by a leg injury.
"There are eleven days or so to the next Test, and I am confident that he can pull through," said Dawes.
Ishant was replaced by debutant Pankaj Singh in Hampshire. Singh bowled 20 solid overs – but went without a wicket during a day that brought the hosts a promising score of 247 for two on the back of the left-handed Gary Ballance's unbeaten century.
"This is a dream come true. I am really happy to make my debut, but I would have liked to get a wicket for my team. Hopefully I get some on day two. It's an unbelievable feeling. I can't put it into words," said Singh.
"I tried my best, but things haven't happened. Hopefully on Monday that changes. It, the pitch, is actually a bit slow and seems comfortable for batsmen who get stuck in. We bowled in the right areas, but they played well."
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