In a second major blow in successive days, England lost its fast bowler Stuart Broad who was ruled out of the World Cup last evening due to a side strain suffered during England's six-run win over South Africa on Sunday.
Broad suffered the injury while bowling during the second innings and subsequent tests in Chittagong yesterday afternoon have confirmed the 24-year-old has a side strain that will require him to return to the United Kingdom for treatment, said an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement on its website.
Batsman Kevin Pietersen has already returned home to undergo hernia surgery in the next week. Pietersen has been replaced by Eoin Morgan, who joined the England squad today in Chittagong ahead of Friday's match.
Broad will depart the England squad, currently based in Chittagong ahead of Friday's Group B match against Bangladesh, in the next 48 hours for further assessment in the UK that will determine his recovery and rehabilitation timescale.
ECB chief medical officer Dr Nick Peirce said: "Stuart (Broad) felt some discomfort following the South Africa match and our initial assessment indicated a strain to his left side.
“Subsequent scans have confirmed a significant side strain injury - where the muscle attaches the rib - that will rule him out of the remainder of the World Cup.
“This is a new injury, separate from the abdominal tear suffered during the Ashes, that requires a period of recuperation and rehabilitation and the duration of this recovery period will be determined following further assessment in the UK,” said Peirce.
Earlier during the day, Broad spoke to the media an hour later than the scheduled time after he had to undergo the scans on the injured area. Though not thought to be serious at the time, Broad said he would be devastated if he were to miss the World Cup.
“If I only miss Friday, and am back in for the West Indies game, it is not the end of the world. Hopefully I'll be better within a week.
But obviously I'll be bitterly disappointed if it is the end of my World Cup,” he said in the afternoon press conference.
The England selectors will decide on a player replacement in due course before submitting an application to the ICC event technical committee, said the statement, but it is certain that Chris Tremlett, who has been flying with the squad as a reserve player.
