England’s batting plans have been thrown into disarray by injuries to Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan.
Both men were forced off the pitch during the West Indies innings and will be unable to bat until five wickets have fallen in the England innings. Roy is England’s opening batsman while Morgan, England’s captain, usually comes in at No. 4.
Roy pulled up sharply while chasing a ball in the eighth over of the game against West Indies in Southampton and subsequently left the pitch with what the England management described as “tightness to his left hamstring”. They later confirmed that he would not field for the rest of the innings.
The injury to Morgan looked worse. He appeared to grab his left knee in pain during the 40th over and walked off the pitch in obvious discomfort.
It is currently unclear whether either man will be able to bat at all. But even if they are, they will have to bat down the order. Playing regulations stipulate that a “player shall not be permitted to bat in the match until his team’s batting innings has been in progress for the length of playing time that is equal to the unexpired Penalty time [which means the amount of time for which the player has been off the field]” or until England have lost five wickets. Runners have been outlawed from international cricket since 2011.
With England already going into this game with one fewer batting option – they left out Moeen Ali to include an extra seamer – these are injuries that could prove crucial. England are also without their first choice reserve opener, Alex Hales, who was dropped from the squad after the furore following the news that he had failed a drugs test.
Roy’s start to the season was delayed by a hamstring strain. It is currently unclear if the issues are related.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo