Mumbai [India], Dec.7 : England skipper Alastair Cook has confirmed that uncapped batsman Keaton Jennings will make his debut in the fourth Test of the five-match series against India beginning tomorrow here at the Wankhede Stadium.
Jennings, the South African-born son of former cricketer Ray Jennings, has been named in the Test squad to replace opener Haseeb Hameed, whose tour ended with a broken finger in Mohali Test.
The 24-year-old left-hander will be Cook's 11th opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss - now the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) Director of Cricket - four years ago.
Talking about Jennings' debut, Cook said the former reminded him of his own debut "10 years ago" when he flew into India 48 hours ahead of the game and struck a century in the Nagpur Test in 2006.
Cook also reflected on injured pacer Stuart Broad's return, saying his chances of playing crucial fourth match are 50:50, ESPNcricinfo reported.
Broad sustained a foot injury during the second Test in Visakhapatnam and subsequently missed the game in Mohali.
While Broad bowled during the recent training sessions, the England camp have yet to make a decision over his involvement.
Having drawn the first Test in Rajkot, the Alastair Cook-led side suffered crushing defeats in Visakhapatnam and Mohali.
Therefore, it would be a herculean task for the visitors to stage a comeback against India, which is looking dominant enough to clinch the series with both their batters and bowlers performing exceedingly well.
Source: ANI
