Ray Jennings will watch on TV if his son makes his England debut next week

The father of England newboy Keaton Jennings says he will sit out his son's Test debut next week because he thinks his presence might be a distraction.

Ray Jennings is a well-known figure in India himself, having coached Royal Challengers Bangalore for five seasons, working with current India coach Anil Kumble, who he appointed captain.

His son Keaton has just been called into the England squad following the injury suffered by Haseeb Hameed and could well be in the line-up for the fourth Test in Mumbai next week after scoring a century for the England Lions in Dubai on Thursday.

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But Ray Jennings thinks his best course of action will be to continue his holiday rather than head for the Wankhede Stadium.

He told The Times: "It is Keaton's space and he needs to be by himself.

"It is important he fights for his own opportunity and I would be a presence he can do without.

"There might be a lot of fuss about what I do and there is enough going on in Keaton's life as it is.

"All the India players know me, I had already had messages from Kumble and other friends over there. As far as opportunities in cricket go, it is my second home.

"I would love to be there but it is best for Keaton that I'm not. It's about him, not me."

Jennings Jr is an opening batsman who was born in Johannesburg and captained South Africa U19 before committing to England.

And he could now become England skipper Alastair Cook's 11th new opening partner since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012.

His father is on a break in Mauritius but added: "I might not be there but there is no way I am missing it.

"If I have to buy a shop full of televisions to find one that has the cricket, then I'll do it. My heart and my hopes will be with him."

England find themselves 2-0 down with two to play in the five-Test series after suffering defeats in Visakhapatnam and Mohali.

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