Injury scares to Mark Wood, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer in World Cup warm-up against Australia

England is scheduled to start their World Cup campaign from the opening day of the tournament against South Africa at the Kennington Oval in London. They are the ICC’s number-one ranked ODI team and is being deemed as one of the favourites to win the championship. However, prior to the main round, starting May 30, the team has been encountered with a few injury concerns.

Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson have developed injuries during the Three Lions’ warm-up match against Australia at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. First Wood, who stopped midway through his run-up in his fourth over and had to leave the pitch, indicating that he might have had an issue. Fast bowler Jofra Archer was called upon as a substitute fielder.

But after a couple of deliveries, Archer slid while attempting to stop a ball at the mid-wicket boundary. Subsequently, he appeared to sustain an injury and left the field as per reports in ESPNcricinfo. Nevertheless, after getting treated, he returned half an hour later.

A statement from the ECB mentioned that Wood had experienced a  “left foot discomfort”. “He will continue to spend some time with the medical team before a decision is made on whether he will return to the match.”

Collingwood and Root acted as substitutes

In Archer’s case, it’s been learned that he may be carrying a minor niggle because of which he couldn’t play all the games in the five-match ODI series versus Pakistan. The injuries meant that Paul Collingwood, England’s assistant coach, had to act as a substitute fielder. Collingwood retired as a player at the end of the 2018 season and would be turning 43 tomorrow.

Joe Root, who was due to miss the game after the death of his grandfather, was also included as a substitute fielder. As far as Dawson is concerned, the spin-bowling all-rounder got a cut on his right ring finger while fielding in the 44th over of the Australian innings.

England is already without Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid, who are recovering from a fractured-finger and shoulder injury respectively. For the time being, the English team management would be hoping for them to get fit before their first match against the Proteas.

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