Dom Sibley has emerged as England’s latest injury concern after suffering a suspected broken finger while fielding for Warwickshire.
The 25-year-old is due to have an X-ray after he dropped a catch at first slip off Nottinghamshire’s Steven Mullaney during the opening day of their County Championship fixture at Trent Bridge.
Sibley did not emerge to open in the evening session, with Warwickshire closing on 24 for two in reply to Nottinghamshire’s 273 all out. Stuart Broad, in his first outing of the season for the home side, picked up the wicket of Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari during the late passage of play.
There are still seven weeks to go until the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on 2 June but Sibley’s injury is the second for England in the past few days, after Ben Stokes broke his left index finger while playing in the Indian Premier League.
An update on Stokes is expected from England after a second scan on his injury. The all-rounder has opted to remain in India for a week as he holds a leadership role at his side, Rajasthan Royals, and wants to oversee the start of their campaign.
Sibley’s injury came on the day he was named as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year. There was some more positive news for England’s selectors, though, as fast bowler Olly Stone made his first appearance of the season for Warwickshire and got through 20 overs of work for final figures of two for 67.
Stone claimed the early wicket of Ben Slater when the opener edged to slip but truly cranked up the pace during the afternoon session. He had Joe Clarke caught behind trying to cut a ball that leaped off the surface and showed his potential once again after impressing during his solitary Test in the winter.
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