SOUTHAMPTON, England (CMC) – Stylish stroke-maker Ian Bell is a doubt for today’s opening One-Day International against West Indies after he suffered a deep gash to his chin while batting in the nets here yesterday. The injury required ten stitches and while he has not been ruled of the game at the Rose Bowl, England remain worried about the player’s fitness especially as a crucial member of the side’s lineup.
“It is a concern because he didn’t look in a good way when he walked off. There was quite a lot of blood and he has had stitches,” captain Alistair Cook confirmed.
“We will have to play it by ear. If he is unfit then, of course, we would have to change – and that’s why you’ve got a squad.
“Emergencies can come up in any game. I remember Matt Prior getting hurt on the morning of the Test at Headingley in 2009. You have to have a squad for those circumstances.
“We’re just waiting to see what we’ll do if Belly is ruled out.”
Bell was recalled to the England one-day setup for this series for the first time since last October, following his good form in the preceding Test series against West Indies.
He scored three half-centuries in four innings in compiling 222 runs at an average of 111 and was expected to further strengthen a batting lineup missing Kevin Pietersen who retired from ODIs earlier this month.