Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel retained for fourth Test vs England

Mumbai: Senior wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel was on Tuesday retained for the fourth cricket Test against England starting at the Wankhede Stadium here from Thursday.

Patel, who replaced injured Bengal stumper Wriddhiman Saha in the third Test at Mohali impressed both with the gloves and also while opening the batting with Murali Vijay.

He scored 42 in the first innings before hitting the winning runs (54-ball 67) after being drafted into the Test side after a 12-year long wait.

“Parthiv Patel will continue to be part of the Indian Test team for the 4th Test of the five-match Test Series to be held in Mumbai from December 8,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

“The BCCI medical team has confirmed that wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is still recuperating from the strain in his left thigh, which he sustained during the second Test match at Vizag,” the board said.

“As a precautionary measure, Saha has been advised rest. The BCCI medical team is monitoring the wicketkeeper-batsman’s progress,” the board statement added.

The team management has also released pacer Ishant Sharma from the Test squad.

“Meanwhile, fast bowler Ishant Sharma has also been released from the Test team,” the BCCI statement read.

The Delhi seamer, who was included in the squad for the England series after recovering from Chikkungunya, failed to get a game in the three Tests.

IANS