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England will monitor the fitness of key spinner Sophie Ecclestone ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa, after she suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s win over New Zealand.
The 26-year-old was walked off the field in the first round in Visakhapatnam after diving awkwardly over the boundary rope.
She returned later in the innings to bowl, dismissing Brooke Halliday with her fourth delivery, but she immediately walked off the field and did not return as England completed the group stage with a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
“I don’t know anything else, but it was definitely precautionary,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brandt said.
“We have a big game against South Africa so we don’t want to risk anything now. We will know more in a few days.”
Ecclestone, the world’s number one player in 50-over cricket, has taken 12 wickets in six World Cup matches at an average of 15.33.
She dislocated her right shoulder during The Hundred in 2023, but her new injury was to her left bowling arm.
“She is the best in the world and England need her in the semi-final,” former England player Alex Hartley said on the BBC’s Test match special.
“They did the right thing to protect her and get her out. She was bowling slower and you could see she was feeling uncomfortable.
“You can stress your ligaments and it won’t be nice at all. It could hit her career and she’ll find out what’s wrong with her. Ice, rest and keeping her moving is what she needs.”
England will face South Africa in the first semi-final of the tournament in Guwahati on Wednesday (09:30 GMT).
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