England fast-bowler Mark Wood had to leave the field early in England's must-win Champions Trophy clash against Afghanistan, suffering from a suspected injury to his left knee.
Update: Wood has returned to the field.
Wood looked to be experiencing pain during his fourth over of the match, still in the powerplay after Afghanistan chose to bat first. After bowling his fourth delivery of the over to Ibrahim Zadran, he signalled for the physio to come onto the field. He lay on his back on the outfield as the physio examined his left knee, which was heavily strapped.
After some treatment, Wood resumed his over and sent down a 91mph length ball to Zadran, which was defended for a dot. Zadran took a single off the last ball of Wood's over, after which Wood left the field. Tom Banton came on as sub-fielder to cover for Wood's absence, with Jofra Archer resuming his spell at the other end.
Shortly after, a release from the England camp confirmed Wood was suffering from a suspected injury to his left knee, although it wasn't confirmed whether he would play any further part in the match.
Wood returned to cricket for the first time in five months for England's white-ball series in India ahead of the Champions Trophy. He was ruled-out of England's Test winter with a fracture to his right elbow, but has also had previous problems with his knee. He underwent surgery on the same knee in 2019 and missed part of a T20I series against Pakistan last year with an injury to the area.
If he cannot return to the field during England's innings, it could leave them a bowler light. England have chosen to balance their ODI side with an extra batter for the match, playing three quicks plus Adil Rashid as their frontline bowlers. The fifth bowler role is split between Joe Root and Liam Livingstone, both of whom will have to bowl near a full quota of overs in Wood's absence.
Archer took three wickets during the powerplay, which Afghanistan finished at 39-3. England must win the game in order to stay in with a chance of qualifying for the tournament semi-finals.
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