Liam Livingstone scored 30 from 20 balls and took the wicket of Virat Kohli before injuring his left hand during England's six-wicket defeat to India; watch England's final T20 World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.50am
Tuesday 19 October 2021 16:22, UK
England will assess Liam Livingstone’s finger injury during the next 24 hours as they wait to see whether the all-rounder will be fit for the start of the T20 World Cup.
Livingstone was forced to leave the field in the closing stages of England's warm-up defeat to India in Dubai, with the little finger on his left hand swollen after he attempted to take a catch on the boundary.
England's medical team will wait for the swelling to subside before releasing further news on Livingstone's injury, but it is a potential concern as the squad prepare to launch their bid for the trophy in just five days' time.
The 28-year-old performed well against India, hitting 30 from 20 deliveries and returning figures of 1-10 in his two overs with the ball, including the wicket of opposing captain Virat Kohli.
Livingstone has become a key member of the squad in recent months, earning a recall after four years and promptly bludgeoning a 42-ball century - the fastest by an England player in T20I cricket - against Pakistan.
He has been tipped to play an important role at the tournament, particularly as England go into it without their premier all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is taking an indefinite break from the game to prioritise his mental health and recover from injury.
England's Moeen Ali said of Livingstone: "I think he's alright, I don't know a lot about it but he seemed to be fine. I think it's just bruising. Obviously it was a little scare at the time, but he said he was fine so hopefully it's good.
"He's a brilliant player, he's been playing really well over the last couple of years so I hope he can carry that form into the World Cup. I feel like it's going be a big stage for him."
England have one further warm-up match scheduled, against New Zealand on Wednesday, before taking on defending champions West Indies in their tournament opener on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Watch the T20 World Cup live on Sky between now and November 14.
