Several squads have suffered significant injuries to key players in their World Cup plans in recent weeks – here’s a round-up of the news on all injured and returning players.

Tim Southee (New Zealand)

Southee sustained a broken and dislocated thumb in the final ODI of New Zealand’s four match series against England. He left the field immediately and did not appear for the remainder of the game. New Zealand have since announced that he will undergo surgery on his thumb next week, after which a decision will be made on his availability for the World Cup.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Williamson has been named in New Zealand’s squad as their captain. He has not played international cricket since March after rupturing his ACL in the IPL. New Zealand are confident that the 2019 player of the tournament will fit for the competition’s first game, a rematch of the 2019 final against England.v

Anrich Nortje (South Africa)

Nortje will undergo a fitness test during this week to assess the likelihood of his participation in the World Cup. He has been named in South Africa’s 15-man squad but sustained a lower-back injury in the first ODI against Australia.

Sisanda Magala (South Africa)

Magala was also injured in South Africa’s series against Australia, suffering an injury to his left knee. Along with Nortje, he will also undergo a fitness Test in the week commencing September 18 to assess his World Cup fitness potential. If either Nortje or Magala are unable to participate in the World Cup, South Africa are likely to call up Andile Phehlukwayo.

Shreyas Iyer (India)

Iyer suffered back spasms during the latter part of the Asia Cup but is expected to be fit for the start of the World Cup. Rohit Sharma said of Iyer’s fitness this week: “I would say 99 per cent he should be okay as of now, but he looks good.”

Axar Patel (India)

Axar picked up a left quadricep strain in India’s last Super Fours game in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh. He has not been named in India’s squad for the first two ODIs against Australia but has been, subject to fitness, for the final match of the series. R Ashwin and Washington Sundar have been named in India’s squads for the ODIs as potential replacements for Axar in the World Cup.

Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)

There were fears over Theekshana’s hamstring after he picked up the injury in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Super Fours match against Pakistan, and he was unavailable for selection for the tournament final. However, scans have since shown that the tear is not as serious as first thought and Theekshana should be available for the World Cup. Sri Lanka have yet to name their squad for the tournament.

Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka)

Chameera sustained a shoulder injury during the Lanka Premier League and missed the entirety of the Asia Cup. There is no news on his availability for the World Cup.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

Hasaranga was injured out of the Asia Cup with a grade two thigh strain. It was reported yesterday that Hasaranga had also suffered a setback in training which could put his World Cup appearance in jeopardy. There has been no official announcement on the extent of his injury.

Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka)

Madushanka tore an oblique muscle during a warm-up game for the Asia Cup. He was the third Sri Lanka fast-bowler ruled out of the tournament. There has been no official news on his availability for the World Cup.

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)

Shanto picked up a hamstring injury while scoring a century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. He flew home to begin his rehabilitation and was replaced by Litton Das in Bangladesh’s squad. At the time, a BCB spokesperson said: “As a precaution, Shanto will not take any further part in the tournament and will be returning home to start rehab and prepare for the World Cup.”

Ebadot Hossain (Bangladesh)

Ebadot is a significant doubt for the World Cup after undergoing knee surgery for a left ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair. He sustained the injury during the final match of Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in July. The injury was originally not thought to be serious.

Travis Head (Australia)

Head fractured his hand while batting against Gerald Coetzee in the fourth ODI between South Africa and Australia. He received treatment on the field after being hit on the glove and faced three more balls before retiring hurt. Australia head coach Andrew McDonald later confirmed an X-ray had shown Head had suffered a fracture. It is expected that he will not be fit for at least the start of the tournament, with Australia weighing up whether to include him in their squad for the competition’s backend.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Smith suffered a wrist injury during this summer’s Ashes series and did not take part in the ODI series in South Africa. He is in Australia’s squad for their series against India and is expected to be fit for the World Cup.

Pat Cummins (Australia)

Cummins was another Australia player who picked up an injury during the Ashes. The Australia captain fractured his wrist in the final Test at The Oval. He was not fit for Australia’s series in South Africa but is set to make his comeback in the India ODIs and continue into the World Cup.

Mitchell Starc (Australia)

Starc is another name expected to make a return in India. He suffered a groin injury during the Ashes but should be fit for the World Cup provided he makes it through the ODIs against India.

Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Maxwell was always set to miss the ODIs in South Africa for paternity leave but returned home early after suffering discomfort to his right ankle. He will return to the squad in India.

Ashton Agar (Australia)

Agar tore his calf in the first ODI in South Africa and did not play the following two games before returning home for the birth of his first child. He will not play in the series against India.

Naseem Shah (Pakistan)

It’s been reported that Naseem will miss the whole World Cup after he injured his shoulder on the reserve day of Pakistan’s second Asia Cup match against India. Scans have reportedly shown a significant injury, although there has been no official announcement on his availability for the World Cup.

Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

Rauf was also injured in Pakistan’s second Asia Cup match against India. He picked up a side strain which ruled him out of Pakistan’s final Super Four game against Sri Lanka. Babar Azam said on Rauf after Pakistan’s exit from the competition: “Haris Rauf is not bad. He’s just got a little bit of a side strain, but he’s recovering before the World Cup.”

Mark Wood (England)

Wood did not play a part in England’s recently concluded four match series against New Zealand. He has not played any competitive cricket since the final Ashes Test match, suffering from a sore heel after the series. Resting him for the New Zealand series was reportedly precautionary and he is expected to be fit for the World Cup.

Adil Rashid (England)

Rashid left the field in the first match of the series against New Zealand suffering cramp. He did not feature in any of the later matches in the series due to calf tightness. There is no official news on his fitness for the World Cup, but he is expected to be available from the start.

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