Alex Hales could be in line for a return to England duty in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka after Jonny Bairstow twisted an ankle playing football.
Bairstow, who has scored 1,025 ODI runs in 2018, injured his right ankle whilst stretching for a ball during the team’s habitual pre-training football warm-up and sat out the rest of the session.
A decision will be made on Saturday morning ahead of the game in Pallekele, with Hales – who lost his opener’s spot to Bairstow – the obvious replacement.
Joe Denly, whom England will also consider for inclusion in the match, was not involved in the football part of England’s warm-up. He was injured by a tackle from Owais Shah whilst on England duty the first time round, and was clearly keen to avoid the same fate having only just returned to the fold.
Denly could replace a seamer if England are keen to play three spin bowlers as they seek an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
