KEY POINTS:
GROS ISLET, St Lucia - England pace bowler James Anderson has fractured the little finger on his right hand, an England team spokesman said today.
An x-ray confirmed the break and he will be reassessed by medical staff on Friday.
Right-arm paceman Anderson is now doubtful for England's opening World Cup Group C clash with New Zealand on Saturday morning (NZT). He was battling with three others for the two seam bowling spots in the line-up.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury during catching practice and was immediately taken for further examination at a local hospital.
Anderson has only just recovered from a back problem which forced him out of England's recent victorious tri-series campaign in Australia.
While doubts surround Anderson's fitness for their opening match, England captain Michael Vaughan said today he hoped to play a full part against New Zealand.
The 32-year-old has been working his way back to full fitness after knee and hamstring injuries but only fielded for part of the warm-up games with Bermuda and Australia last week.
"Hopefully I'll prove on Friday that I can get through a game," Vaughan said.
"I've trained every single day and I've had nothing go wrong with the hamstring and nothing go wrong with the knee and I'm just looking forward to playing cricket now.
"There is absolutely nothing to suggest I won't play a full part in this World Cup."
England are expected to go in with the same batting lineup from the warm-ups, but have decisions to make over their bowling roster after Anderson's injury.
If he's ruled out, that leaves Sajid Mahmood, Liam Plunkett and Jon Lewis to fight for the two seam bowling slots.
- REUTERS
