Andy Flower admits injuries are a concern for England’s World Cup hopes
England head coach, Andy Flower has admitted that injuries in the dressing-room are worrisome for England’s bid for the World Cup. His statement comes with Paul Collingwood becoming the fifth England player to be ruled out of the final one-day international against Australia, because of an injury.
“Of course the timing of them getting back to full fitness is important for the start of the World Cup,” Flower stated.
The England squad has been battling injuries, with the fatigue of the stressful schedule in Australia taking its toll on the players.
Collingwood suffered a back spasm while batting in the sixth one-day international in Sydney on February 2nd 2011. He was unable to bowl as England failed to defend its target of 334 runs. The 34-year old was allowed to fly out of Perth on Thursday evening and is expected to be fit before the World Cup commences.
“He’s going to be a very important member of our World Cup side so we needed to get him off home early,” Flower said on the decision to send Collingwood back to England.
Flower revealed that all-rounder Tim Bresnan’s calf injury is the most serious of their lengthy list of injuries. Bresnan suffered a calf strain at Hobart and was flown back home to recover.
England’s injury list also includes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajmal-Shahzad-c42489 (hamstring strain), Graeme Swann (back and knee), Chris Tremlett (side strain) and Stuart Broad, who tore an abdominal muscle in December.
Tremlett, who was awarded an incremental contract by the ECB, is not a part of England’s 15-man World Cup squad, but is a possible replacement if any of the other five players fail to recover from their injuries.
Flower, has stated that the prospect of having a full-strength squad is necessary at this stage, but maintained that they are ‘monitoring’ the player’s rehabilitation on a ‘daily basis.’
Meanwhile, there are several players who have benefited from England’s injury crisis. Among them is Chris Woakes, who replaced Bresnan in the fifth ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Brisbane taking an impressive 6 wickets for 45 runs. Steve Finn also made his one-day debut during the seven-match series, replacing James Anderson who was rested for the first three matches. The two players have made a strong impression, and may be considered as first reserves.
The 15-man English squad is due to depart for the World Cup, which is being held in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, on February 12th, 2011.
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