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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Rory Dollard

Jos Buttler injury update: England batsman 'responding well to treatment' ahead of West Indies World Cup clash

England's Jos Buttler is "responding well to treatment" on a heavily bruised right hip but remains a doubt for Friday's World Cup clash with the West Indies.

Star batsman Buttler sustained the injury while batting in Saturday's victory over Bangladesh, visibly hobbling after launching one of four sixes during a lively cameo of 64.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was in visible discomfort for the remainder of his innings and did not re-emerge after the break.

Jonny Bairstow deputised with the gloves and would happily do so again should Buttler not be passed fit for the fourth group game, while James Vince or Moeen Ali would vie for his place in the XI.

The England and Wales Cricket Board offered a cautiously optimistic update on Buttler's fitness but fell short of confirming his availability for the game the fourth group game in Southampton.

"Jos sustained heavy bruising on his right hip during the match against Bangladesh in Cardiff. He is responding well to treatment and will be reassessed later this week," it read.

"We anticipate he will train with the rest of the squad at the Hampshire Bowl on Wednesday ahead of the match against West Indies on Friday."

England captain Eoin Morgan suggested after the result in Cardiff that there would be no temptation to gamble with Buttler's fitness.

"We'll use every day as much as we can to get try to get him back on the park, but if he is a risk going into the next game, it might not be worth it," he said.

Buttler's absence would be a major loss to England having hit a rich vein of form, scoring 185 runs in 136 balls in his three World Cup knocks so far including a century against Pakistan.

Vince would be the closest call for a like-for-like replacement given his role as the squad's spare batsman, but England could also choose to retain their bowling attack en bloc and recall all-rounder Moeen Ali.

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