Australia is sweating on the fitness of Xavier Bartlett after the Queensland seamer limped off the field with a suspected side strain during the first T20I against England in Southampton.
The 25-year-old, who finished with figures of 1-26, failed to complete his fourth over during England’s run chase at the Rose Bowl on Thursday morning AEST, clutching at his left side before begrudgingly walking off alongside a team medic.
“We think Xavier Bartlett has done himself a mischief,” World Cup champion Eoin Morgan said in commentary.
“Just holding his left side.”
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting continued: “That looks like trouble to me … he just wanted to get through his last two balls, but it looks like they’ve decided to take him straight from the field.
“Those side strains for the fast bowlers can be long-term injuries as well, for a young man finding his way in the international game.”
Australia is sweating on the fitness of Xavier Bartlett.
Earlier, Bartlett removed England debutant Jordan Cox for 17 after teammate Tim David held onto a superb lunging catch at mid-wicket. The Brisbane Heat star should have also accounted for rival captain Phil Salt on the first delivery of the innings, but he overstepped the crease.
“It’s always disappointing to see a young fella go down,” Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said during the post-match presentation.
“Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Australia’s bowling stocks have already been depleted after quicks Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis were ruled out of the United Kingdom tour with injury. Mitchell Starc has been managed for the T20s against Scotland and England, while Pat Cummins skipped the tour altogether due to workload management.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood missed the Scotland T20s due to a calf strain, making his international return for the series opener against England.
The second T20 between England and Australia gets underway at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on Saturday morning at 3.30am AEST.
