Cricket Enthusiasts Brace for Potential Setback as West Indies’ Brandon King Suffers Side Strain
Published: June 20, 2024 | ESPNcricinfo
West Indies’ star batsman Brandon King faces an uncertain future in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after sustaining a side strain during their match against England in St. Lucia on Wednesday night.
King had started the game with a bang, racing to 23 off just 12 balls, including a massive 101-meter six off Reece Topley that sailed over the midwicket boundary. However, his promising innings came to a premature end when he crumpled in pain while attempting to hit Sam Curran through the covers, forcing him to retire hurt after receiving medical attention.
“Cricket West Indies confirmed that King has been diagnosed with a side strain, and he did not return to the field during England’s run chase, with Shimron Hetmyer replacing him as a substitute fielder.”
Side strains typically require several weeks to fully heal, casting serious doubt over King’s participation in the remainder of the T20 World Cup, which has only 10 days left before the tournament concludes. While King’s form has been somewhat inconsistent so far, with a top score of 34, his absence would be a significant blow to the West Indies squad, especially as he had recently stepped in as captain during their match against South Africa last month.
The West Indies team management has five players on standby for the World Cup:
- Andre Fletcher
- Kyle Mayers
- Fabian Allen
- Hayden Walsh Jr.
- Matthew Forde
Mayers, who was widely considered unlucky to miss the initial cut, is the most likely replacement, though Fletcher, a top-order batter, is also a contender.
The West Indies team is scheduled to travel to Barbados on Thursday, ahead of their second Super Eight fixture against the United States at Kensington Oval on Friday. Cricket enthusiasts will keenly follow the team’s progress and await updates on the severity of King’s injury, as the potential loss of this senior player could have a significant impact on their campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
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