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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

England's injury crisis worsens before T20 World Cup as star misses end of Hundred

Liam Livingstone has become the latest England star to pull out of The Hundred due to injury, with the 29-year-old suffering an ankle problem which means he will miss Birmingham Phoenix's final two group games and the knockouts if they qualify.

Livingstone is a crucial member of England's T20I side and they will be hoping the injury is not too serious given the number of stars already out of action ahead of the T20 World Cup in October.

Seamers Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have been long-term absentees, although all four could be back bowling soon.

Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills and England captain Jos Buttler all picked up injuries during The Hundred which ruled them out of the tournament, while Brydon Carse and Richard Gleeson both missed The Hundred through injury after featuring in last month's white-ball series against South Africa.

Reece Topley also withdrew from the tournament as a precaution to "avoid injury and the risk of a longer layoff". Wood and Woakes both underwent surgery recently, while Mahmood was with England during the second Test against South Africa at Old Trafford as he steps up his rehab.

Archer has stated that he "should be bowling by September with a view to returning to competitive cricket soon after", while Buttler's calf injury means he is unlikely to lead England in every match of their upcoming seven-game T20I series against Pakistan.

White-ball captain Jos Buttler picked up a calf injury during The Hundred and is unlikely to lead England in all of their upcoming seven T20Is against Pakistan (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

And with Test stars Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow expected to skip that tour, England have a real selection dilemma on their hands with only ten games currently schedule before the World Cup.

Will Jacks and Will Smeed could be given a chance to impress after becoming the first two centurions in The Hundred, while fringe players like Phil Salt and Harry Brook are set for more opportunities.

All-rounder Moeen Ali is also the most likely candidate to lead the side in Buttler's absence, having done so against the West Indies in January when Eoin Morgan picked up a quad injury.

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