England suffer Morgan injury scare ahead of World Cup

The injury occurred during a training session ahead of England's warm-up game against Australia in Southampton © Getty

Eoin Morgan has been taken to hospital for an X-ray after injuring his left index finger during training at the Ageas Bowl. The England captain hurt himself while taking catches from the bowling machine ahead of a warm-up match against Australia which will take place on Saturday.

He returned from the hospital with no further update on the results of his x-ray as of yet. The ECB expect further news later on Monday evening. A spokesperson for the ECB said: "Eoin Morgan took a knock to his left index finger fielding this morning. He is going to the hospital after practice for a precautionary X-ray."

Given how revolutionary Morgan has been as skipper of this England side, who go into the World Cup as favourites for a first 50-over title, his absence, even for a few games, would be a huge blow. Jos Buttler, as vice-captain, would be the one to step up, though there may be a reluctance to heap more pressure onto him as not only the wicket-keeper but the team's marquee batsman.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka too will be sweating after their batsman Avishka Fernando suffered an ankle injury while fielding in the warm-up match against South Africa and had to be stretchered off the field.