Saturday, March 14th, 2015

Moeen Keeping Fingers Crossed That Absence Through Injury Is Short-Lived

Moeen Keeping Fingers Crossed That Absence Through Injury Is Short-Lived

Moeen Ali is hoping his spell on the side-lines will only be short-lived after a side strain kept him out of England's final World Cup match against Afghanistan.

The Worcestershire all-rounder underwent a scan in Australia and will be assessed again on his return home after England's group exit.

England are due to announce their squad on Wednesday for the tour of the West Indies for which they will depart on April 2.

Moeen suffered the setback when bowling in the defeat against Bangladesh although he was able to bat later in a game which ended England's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

He said: "I picked up a strain in my left side while bowling my sixth over. I felt something go and I was in so much pain that I almost stopped bowling halfway through my seventh over but I managed to get through it somehow.

"It was a problem when I was batting too especially when I dived in for the run out. That was the last thing I needed.

"I'll need to have it looked again when we get back to the UK before I know how long I'll be out for.

"But with so much cricket coming up I hope it won't be long."

Moeen had played in England's last 19 ODIs – two against India, seven in Sri Lanka, five in the Tri-Series with Australia and India and five during the World Cup – before sustaining the injury.