Eoin Morgan is hopeful Jason Roy will be fit for England’s crucial World Cup clash against India and has allayed fears Ben Stokes suffered an injury during the defeat to Australia.
England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals were dealt a blow on Tuesday after they suffered a 64-run defeat to Australia at Lord’s.
Defending champions Australia, now through to the knockout stages with two group matches still to play, posted 285-7 with captain Aaron Finch leading the way with a century.
Jason Behrendorff then claimed a five-wicket haul and Mitchell Starc took four wickets to bowl England out for 221 despite Ben Stokes’ 89.
Stokes received treatment from England’s medical team during his impressive innings but Morgan has confirmed the star all-rounder was merely struggling with cramp.
‘It was cramp. It’s a hot day and he plays a role in every facet of our game,’ Morgan said. ‘He runs around, he bowls fast, then makes a major contribution with the bat. It’s nothing to worry about.’
Morgan also provided an update on Roy’s fitness. The opener has missed England’s last three matches – two of which have ended in defeat – after suffering a hamstring injury against West Indies.
Roy initially said he hoped to feature against Australia but was unable to regain his fitness in time and will now aim to return against India on Sunday.
Morgan said: ‘With four days of rehabilitation he is hopeful of being fit. If it is a big risk we will play it as it is.’
Three successive victories put England in a decent position in the group stage of the World Cup, but they have since suffered back-to-back defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia.
They remain fourth in the table but will need to secure at least one victory from their final two games against India and New Zealand to progress in a tournament they were favourites to win before a ball was bowled.
‘It is not a good time to have lost a couple of matches in row,’ Morgan said after the defeat at Lord’s. ‘I thought today we were outplayed.
‘But our fate is still in our own hands the next two games that we play, if we can control that and produce performances we will be in a healthy position come the latter stages.’
Australia skipper Finch, meanwhile, who scored his second century of the tournament, added: ‘I didn’t play too badly, anytime you contribute to a team win that is the most important thing.
‘There have been a few hundreds that have been in losses that have been hollow.
‘To get through the opening period and set a reasonable foundation at the top with David Warner was nice. There are teams where you have a bit more confidence against when you walk out and play.’
