England’s ICC World Twenty20 aspirations have been hit by the news batsman Joe Root has been forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering a broken thumb.
The 23-year-old Yorkshire opening batsman suffered the injury when he was struck by the third ball of his innings in last Wednesday’s third and final one day international game against West Indies in Antigua during the current tour of the Caribbean.
Root managed to stay at the crease and made an impressive 107 as England won by 25 runs and claimed the one-day series 2-1.
However after consulting with a specialist, Root opted to return to England for treatment and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has now confirmed he will not travel with the rest of the squad for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
The experienced Ian Bell has been drafted into the 15-man squad for the tournament as Root’s replacement, although he has not played in the shortest format of the game since January 2011, while his strike rate from seven T20 games played is 119 compared to Root’s 139.
It is the latest injury problem to hit England as captain Stuart Broad is set to miss their second T20 game against West Indies as he battles to shake off a knee problem in time for the side’s opening World Twenty20 encounter against New Zealand on March 22.
England are 13.00 to win the ICC World Twenty20, while Australia are 4.00, India 5.50 and Sri Lanka are 6.50.
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