England Cricket: Zafar Ansari ready to make debut against Bangladesh after freak injury
ZAFAR ANSARI is ready to make his Test debut against Bangladesh tomorrow, a year on from the freak injury that ruled out of England's tour of the UAE to face Pakistan.
England bowler Zafar Ansari posin at a photo call in Chittagong
The 24-year-old all-rounder broke his left thumb taking a catch in the field for Surrey just hours after his first Test call-up.
But Ansari, who took almost seven months to fully recover, will come full circle when he plays in this week's second Test in Dhaka.
England are 1-0 up heading into the series finale following their 22-run victory in Chittagong.
England bowler Zafar Ansari looks on in training ahead of second test against Bangladesh
I think it is always going to be a nerve-wracking experience but I feel as ready as I ever have been
Yet they are ready to shake things up ahead of their upcoming series in India, with left-arm spinner Ansari likely to be one of three changes.
"I think it is always going to be a nerve-wracking experience but I feel as ready as I ever have been," said Ansari.
"I am coming into a nice environment and I think that's really helpful as a young debutant."
England all-rounder Zafar Ansari walking off with a broken thumb for Surrey at Lancashire
Annual all-at-sea cricket match takes place
Ansari, who made his one-day international against Ireland in a washed out game in Dublin last year, took 4-68 in England's second tour match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.
However, his background should give him a unique perspective on his Test debut.
Ansari, who is a classically-trained pianist, graduated from Cambridge with a double first and is awaiting results from a Masters degree on the US Civil Rights movement. "If the wickets come, great," he said. "If not, as I always tell myself, you can only do your best."