Two of England’s key players, Mark Wood and Dawid Malan, are dealing with fitness issues ahead of T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final against India on November 10.
While England are sweating over their availability, skipper Jos Buttler on Wednesday (November 9) confirmed that they will make last-minute fitness calls on Wood and Malan.
Notably, Wood has consistently bowled with a speed of 90 mph in the ongoing T20 World Cup Down Under. In four matches, the right-arm pacer has claimed nine wickets at an average of 12.00 and an economy rate of 7.71.
On the other hand, Malan is an integral part of England's top-order, having amassed 1,748 runs at an average of 38.84 in 55 T20Is. The southpaw has registered scores of 18, 35 and 3* in the three innings he has batted at the T20 World Cup 2022.
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“We will see how they pull up. We are trying to give them as long as possible," Buttler said in the pre-match press conference.
“Dawid was out the other day with a small niggle, Woody has had a bit of stiffness. We trust the medical team, we trust the two guys as well."
Malan looks doubtful having tweaked his left groin while fielding during the last Super 12 match against Sri Lanka. In case, he gets ruled out then Phil Salt is likely to play the semi-final against India.
The England captain is backing Salt to take his chance if it comes against India.
“I think he has a fantastic mindset, especially for the T20 format, he certainly doesn’t fear anyone and is someone who wants to get on the front foot and take the game on," said Buttler.
“He embodies quite a lot of what we speak about as a team and how we ask guys to play.
“Certainly I wouldn’t expect to see anything else from him if he gets the chance to play.
“He’s certainly someone who’s not going to shy away from an occasion, I feel like he’s someone who will definitely take it on."
Jos Buttler is aware of the huge support Team India will have in the semi-final at the Adelaide Oval.
“We are all really excited about the match, in my opinion one of the best stadiums in the world against a brilliant Indian team which I am sure will be well supported tomorrow," Buttler said.
“It’s going to be a great occasion and these are the times you want to be involved as a player."
Buttler also knows that those Indian fans will be hoping for victory to set up a high-voltage final against Pakistan.
“We certainly don’t want an India-Pakistan final," added the wicketkeeper-batter “So trying to do what we can to make sure that it doesn’t happen."
(With AFP inputs)
