Harry Brook Withdraws from India Test Tour Due to Personal Reasons; Dan Lawrence Named Replacement

The England Cricket Board have confirmed that Harry Brook is set to leave the squad for the upcoming Test series against India. The statement made by the ECB has stated that Brook is set to return to the United Kingdom citing ‘personal reasons.’ The ECB has named Surrey’s Dan Lawrence as the replacement

Brook had travelled to Abu Dhabi with the team for a preparatory camp ahead of the series but will miss the five-match Test series against India.

The batter from Yorkshire has had a stellar start to his Test career since making his debut in 2022. He currently averages 62.15 and scoring four centuries after playing 12 matches so far.

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Brook’s best knock came in against New Zealand at Wellington in 2023 where he managed to score 186 off 270 deliveries in the first innings of the Test. He has also had success in the sub-continent having scored 153 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi as well. Many were eagerly awaiting to see how the youngster would perform against the lethal Indian bowling attack.

This will be a big blow to England’s batting unit as the side will aim to break their decade-long streak of not being able to win a Test series in India. The last time England did win the series was back in 2012 under the leadership of Sir Alastair Cook. ECB has confirmed that the replacement for Harry Brook will be Dan Lawrence from Surrey.

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The loss will be big for England as they now have to rethink how their batting order will shape up. With players like Ollie Pope returning, it could see either Pope or the skipper Stokes take up the spot in the playing eleven left by Brook.

England’s attempt to break the decade-long streak will begin with the series with the Tests taking place in Hyderabad, Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala. This will mark England’s first Test since the Ashes and will not have the likes of Stuart Broad at the helm of the bowling attack following his retirement

Updated England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Dan Lawrence