Now it is Anderson

[Nostromo]

This World Cup seems to have a developed a penchant for cracked fingers and toes. The latest player to join the select band is England's paceman James Anderson with a broken finger. But it is in his left hand and with luck he might be OK to bowl against NZ on Friday and then field in the Third Man position throughout. As for batting, he probably can make as many runs one-handed as with two .

[darksideofthemoon]

Reports say it is his bowling hand. How long are broken fingers painful for?

[pie_chucker]

Going from experience long enough! Seriously though if its only his little finger he should be OK, it shouldnt bother him bowling or batting but fielding could be difficult.

[darksideofthemoon]

They are sending the x-rays to a specialist in London and have to wait to hear if he can bowl. If the fracture goes into the joint he could have long term problems if he does play. As well as breaking his finger he also dislocated the middle joint. He wants to play but it won't be his decision.

[pie_chucker]

If he's dislocated it i think he'll be struggling because i cant see how he would be able to bat or field for at least a fortnight.

[darksideofthemoon]

According to Botham and Willis they can't see a problem and say he should be playing. From what I have been reading about breaks and dislocations I would say that he would be going home. I hope not but if he is I would want Broad out there and not Kirtley or Gough.

[Rachael]

If Anderson's finger is in a poor state... Fletcher and co have some interesting times ahead picking a replacement! It doesn't have to be like for like... and I could see a case for delaying a decision until after the group stage so that they can take a view on the pitches and on the form of the squad members.

Bottom line: only two from Lewis, Plunkett and Mahmood can play alongside Flintoff, Panesar and Dalrymple... so the seam-bowling is covered... especially as no seamer in the pool of 30 players (which excludes Gough and Kirtley) would be likely to start ahead of that trio.

Maybe England could call upon an additional spinner (Giles) or a wicket-keeper than actually knows what glovework is all about (Read).

ps. How about calling up Chapple / Hoggard?

[pie_chucker]

At the moment its probably not worth calling anyone else up until we can see how the injury is going, or more to the point who is there to call up?

There would be no point in picking Kirtley as we already have one trundler in the squad, it would be suicide to play 2. Gough would be a backward step and Giles will be nowhere near match fit. Broad is no where near ready and the mauling he would recieve could put his career back a couple of years.

As Rachael says is there a need to call anyone up? Flintoff, Monty and Dalrymple/Colly should cover 30 overs. Lewis and Plunkett could be the other 2 bowlers and Colly/Dalrymple can also be used as a back up if one of the bowlers has a 'mare.

[darksideofthemoon]

I thought they could pick outside the 30 after chatting to the ICC. The seam bowling might be covered but not if there are two sick bowlers on the day of the match. I suppose they could always play Bopara. I can only see another fast bowler being called up.

[pie_chucker]

Good point there Rachael, if fit, Chapple would be an ideal one day bolwer. In fact I'm surprised he hasnt played more one day stuff as he's very experienced and can bat a bit (which should please Fletcher).