NEW DELHI: England's campaign in the Champions Trophy has encountered an early setback, with fast bowler Brydon Carse likely to miss their crucial Group B encounter against Afghanistan on Wednesday due to a blister on his left foot.
The 29-year-old pacer, who featured in England's opening five-wicket defeat to Australia, has been struggling with the injury, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the tournament.
Carse's absence from England's training session at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday has forced the team management to consider their options, with Jamie Overton potentially being handed a spot in the playing XI.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. With only three group-stage games to secure a semi-final berth, England's selection dilemma comes at a critical juncture.
Veteran batter Joe Root expressed cautious optimism about Carse's recovery but acknowledged that the next 48 hours would be crucial in determining his availability.
"We will have to wait and see," Root stated. "There is still a good way to go until the game, to find exactly what is up with Carsey. We will see how things pan out over the next few days."
Carse's potential absence would be a significant blow for England, who are already under pressure following their defeat to Australia. The fast bowler's raw pace and ability to generate bounce were expected to play a key role against Afghanistan's aggressive batting lineup, despite his expensive outing against Australia.
Currently third in Group B, England needs a win to stay in contention for the semi-finals. With South Africa and Australia leading the group, another loss could leave the English team in a precarious position.
If Carse fails to recover in time, England has the option to call in a replacement for the rest of the tournament, but their immediate focus remains on finding the right balance for the must-win clash against Afghanistan.
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