ODI World Cup 2023 injury watch

Tim Southee has been cleared to join the New Zealand squad for the ODI World Cup as he continues to recover following surgery on his fractured right thumb.

The 34-year-old dislocated the finger while attempting a catch during New Zealand's fourth and final ODI against England at Lord's earlier this month. He subsequently went under the knife, and will now fly to India on Saturday with an aim to be fit for New Zealand's opening World Cup game against England on October 5.

Sri Lanka allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga may be out of the World Cup completely, and may even require surgery, after aggravating his hamstring tear over the past few days.

There is a big question mark over Dushmantha Chameera's participation as well. The fast bowler is recovering from a pectoral injury and is unable to bowl ten overs without discomfort.

Spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who strained his hamstring during the Asia Cup, is likely to be fit in time for Sri Lanka's opening match, against South Africa on October 7.

South Africa will be without Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala at the ODI World Cup with both fast bowlers out due to injuries. Nortje has a suspected stress fracture of the back while Magala is nursing a left-knee injury. They have been replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams in South Africa's 15-man squad for the tournament that begins in India on October 5.

"It's hugely disappointing for Anrich and Sisanda to be missing out on the 50-over World Cup," South Africa's coach Rob Walter said. "We sympathize in their omission and will continue to provide all the necessary support as they work towards their return to competitive action.

Tim Southee will have surgery on his fractured thumb on Thursday with New Zealand still hopeful he could play a part in the World Cup.

A decision will be taken early next week around whether the wound can be managed and Southee can tolerate the pain.

India are exploring their options should allrounder Axar Patel not be fit for the World Cup after a left quadriceps strain ruled him out of the Asia Cup final.

Washington Sundar was drafted into the squad for the final against Sri Lanka and R Ashwin has been recalled for the first two ODIs against Australia.

"We're hoping Axar will be fit," chief selector Ajit Agarkar said. "Washy was already part of the squad for the final. Ashwin brings experience, so it gives us options in case there is a need at some stage for us to look at those guys."

Jason Roy was axed from England's World Cup squad, with Harry Brook drafted in his place. Roy was unable to feature in any of the four games in the series against New Zealand after suffering a series of back spasms.

Roy's returns had been on the wane for some time, even before his back problems forced the selectors' hands. The decision to omit Roy almost certainly brings an end to his international career. He had already indicated that the World Cup would be his international swansong, and having negotiated an early release from his ECB central contract this year, in order to play for Los Angeles Knight Riders in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in the USA, a stint on the T20 franchise circuit would appear to be his next career move.

Full story here.

Travis Head's hand injury will be assessed back in Australia next week but there seems only a slim chance of him making the World Cup after suffered a fractured hand in South Africa.

Matt Short has been included in Australia's squad for the three matches against India although Marnus Labuschagne is the favourite to replace Head.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell are back as planned for the India series. As is Pat Cummins who joined the squad in South Africa.

The prognosis doesn't appear especially promising for Sisanda Magala who is battling a knee injury and missed the final match against Australia. There also continue to be doubts around Anrich Nortje with his back problems. Andile Phehlukwayo could be in line for a call-up.

Naseem Shah: shoulder injury. Likely to miss the entire World Cup and have a long layoff, possibly extending till PSL 2024. Here's the full story.

Haris Rauf: side strain. Should be fit in time for the tournament

Agha Salman: bruising under the eye. Was hit while batting but will be fine

Imam ul Haq: back spasm. Will be alright well before World Cup

Maheesh Theekshana suffered a hamstring injury while fielding against Pakistan. But according to the SLC medical committee head, he will "definitely be ready" for the World Cup starting next month.

Adil Rashid and Mark Wood only played one game between in the series against New Zealand, but the England camp are not concerned.

Rashid suffered cramp during the Cardiff ODI and Wood is being nursed towards the World Cup after the Ashes series.

Dushmantha Chameera: shoulder injury. May not quite make the World Cup, but it's touch-and-go.

Dilshan Madushanka: oblique muscle. The left-arm quick is struggling to make the World Cup, having torn the muscle during a warm-up for the Asia Cup.

Maheesh Theekshana: hamstring. Unclear yet as to how long he'll be out, but feeling is it's pretty serious and he's not available.

Wanindu Hasaranga: hamstring. The allrounder should be back in time for World Cup

Tamim Iqbal: hip/groin. Supposed to return in the New Zealand series from September 21.

Najmul Hossain Shanto: hamstring. Unlikely for New Zealand series, targeting the first World Cup match against Afghanistan on October 7.

Ebadot Hossain: knee. Surgery has been completed but he will miss the World Cup. Expected to be an eight-month recovery period

An x-ray confirmed that Tim Southee dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb while attempting to take a catch in the 14th over of England's innings in the final ODI at Lord's. A New Zealand spokesperson said a timeline for his recovery will be established on Sunday when he undergoes further assessment.

Daryl Mitchell dislocated his ring finger taking a low catch to dismiss Jonny Bairstow in the same match but was able to return to the field

Finn Allen, who is not part of New Zealand's ODI World Cup squad, was cleared of any fracture or break after injuring the little finger on his right hand while on as a substitute fielder.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson has been included in New Zealand's squad as he continues to make good progress in the recovery from the ACL injury sustained in last season's IPL. However, it is not yet confirmed whether he will be available for the opening match against England in Ahmedabad on October 5.

Anrich Nortje: lower back injury

Nortje played at MLC, was rested from South Africa's T20Is against Australia and missed the first ODI with lower back spams. He played the second, in Bloemfontein, bowled five overs and then pulled up with the same issue. When he was ruled out of the third ODI, he was also sent to Johannesburg for scans and was then sidelined for the rest of the series. He was due to start bowling at the weekend (September 16-17) under the supervision of the national team's bowling staff. However, ESPNcricinfo understands there are serious concerns around his availability for the World Cup, especially as he has a history of injury, Nortje was out for seven months after the 2021 T20 World Cup with a hip and back concern. He also missed the 2019 World Cup because of a broken thumb.

Sisanda Magala: left knee issue

Magala's off season started with the IPL, where he split the webbing on his hand in early April. He then had no competitive cricket until August, when he was due to play in the three T20Is against Australia but did not make the series with an injury to the tendon that connects the knee cap to the shinbone. He bowled only four overs in the third ODI and did not play the fourth.

Temba Bavuma: adductor strain (inner-thigh muscle)

South Africa's ODI captain suffered cramp and a slight hamstring niggle in the first ODI against Australia in Bloemfontein but he was fit for the next two matches. He then suffered an inner thigh muscle strain and was left out of the fourth ODI as a precaution.

Shreyas Iyer played India’s first two matches of Asia Cup, but minutes from the toss ahead of their Super 4s match against Pakistan, he picked a back spasm during warm-ups. The Asia Cup was the first time Iyer was playing since March having undergone surgery to deal with stress fracture in the back. The BCCI has said that Iyer has not yet fully recovered, but he is still in Sri Lanka. There’s no clarity on whether he will play Asia Cup final on September 17, but he is likely to play three-match ODI series at home against Australia starting September 22

Pat Cummins: fractured wrist. Injured in the fifth Ashes Test in late July. Is currently in South Africa with the team and is expected to play in the ODI series against India starting on September.

Steve Smith: wrist tendon. Injured it in the second Ashes Test in late June, but played the rest of the series. Was ruled out of the South Africa tour and needed to be in a splint for awhile. But was back hitting balls in early September and is expected to play in India series.

Mitchell Starc: groin soreness. Lingering from the Ashes. Missed South Africa tour, but is on track to play India ODIs

Glenn Maxwell: ankle soreness. Came home from South Africa T20 series after one training session where he ran half a lap and pulled up sore on his previously broken leg. Was due to miss the ODIs anyway because the birth of his son. Has been training in Melbourne and is due to return in India but is being carefully managed.

Ashton Agar: calf soreness. Missed SA T20s after tearing his calf in the pre-season. Played one ODI in South Africa but missed the next two with soreness and then flew home for the birth of his first child. Is due to return for the World Cup warm-ups.

Travis Head: left hand fracture. Copped a blow in game four while batting and had to retire hurt - x-rays showed a fracture. Further updates to come. Full story here.

Cameron Green: concussion. Suffered in game one of the ODI series in South Africa. Is due to play in the fifth match.