Home
It appears that Brydon Carse will miss the remainder of England's Champions Trophy campaign, which begins on Wednesday with their crucial match against Afghanistan. Due to a left toe injury that has required ongoing treatment throughout his playing career, Carse was unable to participate in Monday's England training session. Despite being judged fit enough to play against Australia on Saturday, the Durham quick's pain was evident on the field and on the scorecard. With an economy rate of 9.85, he ended up being the day's most costly bowler as Australia chased down a target of 352 with 15 balls remaining.
Carse's toe injury
Carse missed the last two ODIs because of the blister on his toe, which developed during the last white-ball series in India and necessitated stitches. It is now thought to have gotten worse and might need further care. The 29-year-old is therefore not expected to play in England's last match against South Africa in Karachi on Saturday and has been ruled out of their Group B match against Afghanistan in Lahore.
"We will have to wait and see. There is still a good way out from the game, to find exactly what is up with Carsey. We will see how things pan out over the next few days," Joe Root told BBC Sport
Due to Carse's absence, Jamie Overton, who has comparable skill sets to bowling all-rounders, might return to the starting lineup. The 15-man team has additional seam cover in Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood. In the event that Carse is declared officially out, the ECB will have to request approval from the ICC to fly out a substitute. Additionally, leg spinner Rehan Ahmed is reportedly in the lead to replace Carse since there is no need for a like-for-like replacement.
With fellow leggie Adil Rashid as the lone front-line option, Rehan, who was not employed during the India tour, would strengthen England's spin arsenal. In order to support Rashid's work, Root and Liam Livingstone had to work together against Australia. England may have to play in Dubai, which has been more receptive to turning, against India, who are virtually guaranteed a spot in the final four following their victory over Pakistan on Sunday, so having an additional, dependable spinning option could be crucial if they can make it to the semi-finals.
This setback for Carse comes after a productive, albeit exhausting, winter. Carse has been touring nonstop since the end of the 2024 season, following a three-month ban for prior gambling offences last summer. Eight days after playing the entirety of a five-match ODI series against Australia, he made his Test debut in Pakistan. This was the first of five Test caps he would receive before the year ended, with three back-to-back in New Zealand. Before the Champions Trophy, he played five matches in India, when he injured his left toe.
The setback complicates England's fast-bowling reserves management at the beginning of a season that includes important Test matches against Australia and India. After receiving a INR 1 Crore at the most recent auction, Carse's ability to sign an IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad may also depend on the extent of the ailment.
