England batsman Zak Crawley sent for scan on wrist injury after slipping outside the dressing rooms

England’s plans for their stellar series against India were disrupted on Tuesday when it emerged Zak Crawley had suffered a freak injury that will almost certainly rule him out of at least the first Test.

Crawley, who ‘celebrated’ his 23rd birthday on Tuesday, slipped outside the dressing rooms of the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai and later had a scan for a possible broken right wrist after missing Tuesday’s training session.

It looks certain Crawley, who was due to bat at three after opening in Sri Lanka, will miss Friday’s first of four Tests, leaving England to face a late reshuffle of their batting order ahead of one of the toughest assignments in world cricket.

Zak Crawley (above) slipped outside the dressing rooms of the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai

And it throws into question the wisdom of England sending Jonny Bairstow home to rest for the first two Tests in India after he had acquitted himself well against spin in two Tests at No3 against Sri Lanka.

‘Zak Crawley did not train after he slipped outside the dressing room on Tuesday and has injured his right wrist,’ said an England spokesman. ‘We are waiting for results of scans and will know more tomorrow (Thursday).’

The most likely solution now is for England to promote the returning Ben Stokes to three while recalling the fit-again Ollie Pope into the middle order and giving Dan Lawrence another chance to establish himself.

The batsman had a scan for a possible broken right wrist after missing training on Tuesday

But England could bat Jos Buttler at six, leave out Lawrence and play an extra all-rounder in Moeen Ali or Chris Woakes at seven. 

Moeen was already in contention to replace Dom Bess and make his first Test appearance for 18 months.

If Crawley has broken his wrist and is ruled out of the series England are more likely to promote one of their reserves currently in India in James Bracey to the full squad rather than make an emergency call for Bairstow, who is due to re-join the squad ahead of the third Test in Ahmedabad.