WORCESTERSHIRE stars Steven Davies and Kabir Ali have been dealt a blow in their international hopes after the pair were forced to withdraw from the England Lions tour to India later this month.
New Road wicketkeeper Davies was the only gloveman going on the tour, but a knee injury, which he will have scanned next week, has meant that he has returned home to the County.
The 21-year-old, who toured India with the England Performance Programme before Christmas, has seen his place taken by Essex wicketkeeper James Foster.
Kabir, meanwhile, who had recovered from a bout of tendonitis in his knee, has been hit with an ankle injury.
The mainstay of the New Road seam attack last season has seen his place go to Gloucestershire quick Steve Kirby and Nottinghamshire seamer Charlie Shreck, with England Test all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also withdrawing from the tour.
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes believes the injuries to both Kabir and Davies are not serious and the pair will be able to start the 2008 campaign in April.
"Its a blow for both of them," Rhodes said. "They are both understandably gutted to miss out on the England Lions tour.
"The injuries are not too serious but the England management team felt that because the games come thick and fast over there that they needed the players to be 100 per cent."
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