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<\/p>\nEngland are optimistic left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone will be available for\u00a0their Women’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The world’s top-ranked ODI bowler landed awkwardly on her left shoulder as she tried to stop a boundary from just the second ball of England’s win over New Zealand in their final group game on Sunday.<\/p>\n
After leaving the field for treatment, Ecclestone returned and came on to bowl but, despite taking a wicket, she sent down just four deliveries in Visakhapatnam before withdrawing herself from the attack.<\/p>\n
Following an assessment, it has been determined she has a slight injury to her sternoclavicular joint, which is at the inner end of the collarbone and connects to the breastbone at the base of the neck.<\/p>\n
With just three days in between games, Ecclestone was a major doubt to take on South Africa, but it is understood England are increasingly upbeat about her being fit to play in Guwahati, live on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
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Sky Sports’ Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain look ahead to England’s Women’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa, discussing Sophie Ecclestone’s fitness and whether Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side can cope in a knockout game.<\/p>\n
“Results of an MRI scan on Sophie Ecclestone’s left shoulder indicate a minor injury to the joint next to her collarbone,” an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“She will continue to be assessed ahead of Wednesday’s ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa.”<\/p>\n
‘Influential’ Ecclestone ‘might not be at 100 per cent’<\/p>\n
Ecclestone is England’s joint-leading wicket-taker at the World Cup, having claimed a dozen dismissals at an average of 15.33. Fellow slow left-armer Linsey Smith has also claimed 12 wickets.<\/p>\n
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Ecclestone took four wickets across five overs during England’s win over Sri Lanka <\/p>\n
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt added of Ecclestone at her pre-match press conference: “We’re pretty confident
she’ll be ready.<\/p>\n
“There probably is an acknowledgement that she might not be 100 per cent, but the player that she is, she’ll be wanting to get out onto that pitch regardless of how she’s feeling.”<\/p>\n
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain said: “It’s great news Ecclestone is okay, because she has had shoulder problems in the past, and you wince when she went down in that last game in Vizag.<\/p>\n
“But we’ve seen her around the team hotel and things look good. That is very important. She’s so influential.<\/p>\n
“When England were here last night in Guwahati, it did grip and turn and so Ecclestone will be vital in those middle overs.”<\/p>\n
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Highlights from England’s first game of the Women’s Cricket World Cup as they bowled South Africa out for 69 and thrashed them by 10 wickets<\/p>\n
‘Smith a huge asset for England’<\/p>\n
Ecclestone’s fellow spinner Smith starred in England’s 10-wicket thrashing of South Africa on October 3, taking three wickets for seven runs as the Proteas were bowled out for just 69.<\/p>\n
Sciver-Brunt said of Smith: “She came into that first game and had a huge impact. I guess that’s what you want as an opening bowler.<\/p>\n
“In the past England have used a lot of seam bowlers to open the bowling but she can obviously swing it, too, and make it very difficult for batters to score. She’s been massive for our side.<\/p>\n
“It’s a big responsibility to open the bowling, but she’s take it in her stride and really thought differently about the way she bowls. She’s been a great asset for our team.”<\/p>\n