InMobi

England wait for news on injured players

Several members of World Cup squad currently sidelined a month out from the tournament opener

England will wait nervously on Jason Roy and Tom Curran following the news the pair will be sidelined for Surrey's one-day cup fixture against Middlesex on Thursday.

The duo were named in England's preliminary 15-man squad for the World Cup, which starts next month, and are expected to link up with the group this week ahead of the forthcoming one-day internationals against Pakistan and Ireland.

However, Roy suffered a back spasm while batting against Essex on Tuesday, precluding him from fielding, while seam bowling allrounder Curran was ruled out of Tuesday's win because of a calf complaint.

Joe Denly, another batsman included in the World Cup party, also suffered a back problem on his return to Kent on Tuesday following a stint at the IPL.

The cumulative knocks could be a worry for England, with batsman Alex Hales missing Nottinghamshire's opening fixtures in the One-Day Cup for personal reasons.

While his World Cup is reported not to be in doubt, the fitness of pace bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood may need managing in a hectic next few months because of long-standing injuries.

Woakes insisted earlier this month he has "turned a corner" following a couple of injections to his troublesome right knee but Wood has been conspicuous by his absence for Durham this season, heightening concerns over a left ankle that has been operated on three times.

Ben Stokes has missed a couple of games in the IPL but it has been reported his absences for the Rajasthan Royals were merely a precaution.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE