Ben Stokes an injury doubt for England’s World Cup opener with New Zealand

The much-anticipated rematch between England and New Zealand, the finalists of the 2019 World Cup, at the 2023 tournament’s opening game is likely to take place without Ben Stokes, who is set to join Kane Williamson on the sidelines after suffering a hip injury.

Stokes, who came out of one-day international retirement earlier this year in order to help England defend their 2019 title, was not involved in their final warm-up game, against Bangladesh in Guwahati on Monday, and though Jos Buttler, the captain, said he was “working hard with the physios” and would be assessed after their first training session in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening, the 32 year old is unlikely to be risked in the first of nine group games for the defending champions.

“He’s got a slight niggle with his hip,” confirmed Buttler. “If he’s not fit to play, he’s not fit to play. If he is, we can make that decision. It’s not the time to take big risks on someone at the start of the tournament. Nearer the end, maybe you do take more of a risk with people’s injuries but it’s going to be a long tournament.”

The most obvious replacement for Stokes would be Harry Brook, the only reserve batter in the squad. “We know what a fantastic player he is,” Buttler said of the 24 year old. “He’s not played loads of ODI cricket, but it’s a format that should suit him perfectly. It will allow him to bat for a long time and make big runs, and that’s something he enjoys doing. He’s got all the shots, he can play big innings, so it’s a format that should suit him really well.”

Williamson ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament on his last visit to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, for an Indian Premier League game in March, and while fit enough to bat in New Zealand’s two recent warm-ups he did not field, and is not considered ready for a full game.

Tim Southee is also ruled out having recently had an operation on the thumb he dislocated when playing against England last month. “He’s recovering nicely, he’s nearly two weeks post-surgery so fingers crossed he can keep recovering,” said Tom Latham, who will stand in for Williamson as captain. “It’s a bit of a day-to-day process with him, but fingers crossed he’ll be available sooner rather than later.”