England received serious injury scare ahead of their opening World Cup game against South Africa as both their fastest bowlers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer had to leave the field owing to injuries during England’s opening warm-up match against Australia. Both Mark Wood and Jofra Archer has the ability to consistently touch more than 140 km/hr. However, they had to leave the pitch just minutes of the opening hour of the match against Australia at Southampton today.
Wood had to walk off the field during the 4th over of the match. He stopped halfway in his run up and left the field indicating an injury. A few moments later, Jofra Archer had to leave the field again as he attempted to stop a ball on the mid-wicket boundary. He was brought in as a substitute for Mark Wood. Despite his injury, Jofra Archer returned to the field moments after having treatment for more than half an hour.
An ECB statement confirmed that Wood had experienced some “left foot discomfort”, a concern given his lengthy history of ankle problems. “He will continue to spend some time with the medical team before a decision is made on whether he will return to the match.”
Jofra Archer who made eligible to play for England just in March was learnt to have a niggle in his leg which limited his participation in the series against Pakistan which England won by a 4-0 margin. Surprisingly Paul Collingwood, one of the assistant coaches of England had to come onto the field as a substitute fielder. He retired after the 2018 season and turns 43 tomorrow.
Meanwhile both Archer and Mark Wood will be very important players for England in the showpiece event. Jofra Archer has taken world cricket by storm and courtesy impressive performances during the ODI series against Pakistan he was drafted into the 15 member World Cup squad despite not being in the preliminary squad.