Mahmood has stress fracture

Cricket: England's fast bowling contingent was dealt another blow, with seamer Saqib Mahmood out for the season with a stress fracture in his back, the cricket board (ECB) said yesterday.

Lancashire bowler Mahmood (25) last played for his county in April and complained of back pain, with scans revealing a fracture.

England returns to action next month when world test champion New Zealand begins a threematch tour at Lord's on June 2, but fellow fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are also sidelined as they continue to recover from elbow surgeries. — Reuters