England batsman Joe Denly has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing Royal London Series against Ireland due to the back spasms on Friday (July 31).
The Kent batsman also missed the first One Day International (ODI) of the three-match ODI series on Thursday (July 30) after suffering back spasms while training at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday.
In his absence, Sam Billings grabbed the opportunity and made 67* to guide England to a six-wicket over Ireland in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the series in Southampton on Thursday.
Following the first ODI, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that Denly has failed to recover and has been replaced by Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone in the 14-man England ODI squad for the remaining two ODIs of the Ireland series.
The ECB said in a statement: “Joe Denly has been ruled out the Royal London Series against Ireland after suffering back spasms in training on Wednesday. The Kent batsman has been replaced in the 14-man England ODI squad by Lancashire's Liam Livingstone.”
Notably, Livingstone has so far played in two T20Is for England and would make his ODI debut if selected in the remaining two matches of the Ireland series.
Meanwhile, Ireland bowler Barry McCarthy has also been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series due to a tear in a muscle in his knee while his fellow bowler Boyd Rankin will also miss the second ODI on Saturday due to a back issue.
The hosts have now included Peter Chase and George Dockrell to their squad for the second ODI against England at Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium starting on Saturday (August 1).
(With IANS Inputs)
