England captain Eoin Morgan expected to be fit for World Cup opener despite finger fracture

England are confident captain Eoin Morgan will be fit for their World Cup opener against South Africa next week after he sustained a small ‘flake fracture’ to his left index finger.

England captain Eoin Morgan hurt his finger during a training session on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

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England are confident captain Eoin Morgan will be fit for their World Cup opener against South Africa next week after he sustained a small “flake fracture” to his left index finger.

Morgan suffered the injury while catching balls launched from a bowling machine at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and will miss the warm-up match against Australia on Saturday, with Jos Buttler to skipper the side.

The 32-year-old has been instrumental in England’s rise from laughing stock four years ago to favourites, and is crucial to their hopes of winning a first international 50-over men’s tournament.

World Cup rules permit a replacement player to be drafted into the team but the injured player cannot return to the 15-man squad.

Eoin Morgan recoils in pain after being struck on the finger.

England spinner Liam Dawson was not present when the incident occurred, with his training session taking place at the nursery ground.

“I was batting on the other side, so I didn’t know what went on,” Dawson said.

“When I came back to the dressing room a couple of the lads were talking.”

Dawson admitted the potential loss of Morgan would be a huge blow to England given the rich vein of form he is currently in.

“He’s massive. The cricket that’s been played over the last four years has all been led by him. Hopefully he’s fit and raring to go.”

Australia assistant coach Brad Haddin said he expected Morgan to do everything possible to play.

“I hope he’s alright. It’s a World Cup, you do what you have to do,” Haddin said.

Eoin Morgan was injured during fielding drills.

“There are things you can use these days to numb the pain so I hope he’s alright.

“I think the thing with a broken finger is that it hurts a lot in the nets but once you get out in the game with the adrenalin going it’s not too much of an issue normally.”

England will also be without Adil Rashid who is nursing a sore shoulder and will be rested as a precaution.

Originally published as England captain Eoin Morgan expected to be fit for World Cup opener despite finger fracture