LONDON, June 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – England’s Jos Buttler is “responding
well” to treatment on a hip injury but the star batsman still has to prove
his fitness in time for Friday’s World Cup match against the West Indies.
Buttler suffered a heavily bruised right hip while hitting a six during
England’s 106-run win over Bangladesh on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, one of the World Cup’s most destructive batsmen, was
visibly hampered for the remainder of his innings of 64 in Cardiff.
Jonny Bairstow took over Buttler’s wicket-keeping duties when he was
unable to come out for the Bangladesh run-chase.
“Jos sustained heavy bruising on his right hip during the match against
Bangladesh,” a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said on
Monday.
“He is responding well to treatment and will be reassessed later this
week.”
The England squad reconvene on Wednesday for two days of practice in
Southampton, with Buttler hoping to take part to show he is ready for the
hosts’ fourth group game against the West Indies.
“We anticipate he will train with the rest of the squad at the Hampshire
Bowl on Wednesday ahead of the match against West Indies on Friday,” the
statement said.
England captain Eoin Morgan suggested after the Bangladesh match that
there would be no temptation to gamble with Buttler’s fitness with so many
matches still to play.
Tournament favourites England have won two of their first three group
matches as the hosts bid to win the World Cup for the first time.
“We’ll use every day as much as we can to try to get him back on the park,
but if he is a risk going into the next game, it might not be worth it,”
Morgan said.