England have another injury problem to check on ahead of the summer’s one-day cricket after batsman Sam Billings suffered a shoulder problem fielding for Kent.
The 27-year-old was forced off the field after hurting himself diving to stop the ball during the second over of Kent’s Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Glamorgan in Cardiff.
Billings tweeted: “Not ideal but one of those things, worse things happen! More scans tomorrow to see the full extent of damage. Safe to say that was excruciating! Really appreciate all the msgs.”
It was his first appearance for Kent since returning from a stint in the Indian Premier League.
Billings was not named in England’s preliminary 15-man squad for this summer’s World Cup but was included in the team to take on Ireland in a one-day international on May 3.
England are already waiting nervously on Jason Roy, Tom Curran and Joe Denly, who were all included in the World Cup party.
Roy and Curran have missed Surrey’s Royal London One-Day Cup fixture against Middlesex on Thursday.
Opener Roy suffered a back spasm while batting against Essex, precluding him from fielding, while seam bowling all-rounder Curran was ruled out of Tuesday’s win because of a low grade calf complaint.
Denly suffered a back problem on his return to Kent on Tuesday following his return from the Indian Premier League.
The cumulative knocks could be a worry for England, with batsman Alex Hales missing Nottinghamshire’s opening fixtures in the One-Day Cup because of “personal reasons”.
While his World Cup is reported not to be in doubt, the fitness of pace bowlers Chris Woakes and Mark Wood may need managing in a hectic next few months because of long-standing injuries.
Woakes insisted earlier this month he has “turned a corner” following a couple of injections to his troublesome right knee but Wood has been conspicuous by his absence for Durham this season, heightening concerns over a left ankle that has been operated on three times.
Ben Stokes has missed a couple of games in the IPL but it has been reported his absences for the Rajasthan Royals were merely a precaution.
