Dillon Pennington doubtful for Sri Lanka Tests due to hamstring injury

Fast bowler Dillon Pennington‘s chances of making his England debut during the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have taken a significant blow after he was forced to withdraw from the Hundred due to a hamstring injury.

Pennington, 25, has been one of the outstanding fast bowlers in the County Championship this season, taking 31 wickets at 23.80 in eight appearances for Nottinghamshire. He spent last month with England’s Test squad during their series against West Indies and impressed Ben Stokes, who had said Pennington would be “ready to go” if required against Sri Lanka.

But Pennington’s chances of gaining a first taste of international cricket during that series have now been dented after he left the field injured during his first competitive appearance for a month. Making his debut for Northern Superchargers against Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, Pennington bowled five balls at The Oval on Friday night but was unable to return for a second set.

Superchargers confirmed to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday morning that Pennington has withdrawn from the final two weeks of the competition, making him a major doubt for England’s first Test against Sri Lanka on August 21 at Emirates Old Trafford. Pat Brown, the Derbyshire seamer, will stay with Superchargers’ squad as cover.

Stokes, England’s captain, had talked Pennington up ahead of the third Test against West Indies, praising the work that he had done while training with the squad. “There’s no doubt that if an opportunity comes to him, then he’ll be ready to go,” Stokes said. “He’s done everything that you’d expect someone in a squad to do – even if they’re not playing.

“He’s got a naturally high release point, and I think his move to Notts has been very, very good for him. He’s had a lot of clarity given to him… his bowling has progressed so quickly over the last year. That’s the feedback that we got from not only the guys who we use for that, but also Ben Duckett fed back saying he’s bowled some spells this year [like] at Test level.”

England are expected to name their squad for the Sri Lanka Tests imminently, with Zak Crawley considered a major doubt after breaking his finger in the third Test against West Indies. If Crawley is unavailable, Dan Lawrence is expected to deputise as Duckett’s opening partner.