White to stay with World Cup squad despite injury

England all-rounder Craig White is to remain with the World Cup squad despite suffering a setback to his recovery from a strained side. He originally sustained the injury when called in as a replacement on England's tour of Australia.

He was thought to be a doubt for World Cup, but he is such an important member of the side with his pugnacious batting and fast-medium bowling that the selectors were prepared to take a risk and name him in the squad.

It appeared that the gamble was justified when he bowled his full ten over stint against Border in East London in the final warm-up match and reported no ill effects. However, when he started bowling in the nets earlier this week, he felt the injury again and went to hospital for a scan.

The results, which revealed a breakdown of scar tissue rather than anything more serious, convinced the ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Peter Gregory, that more intensive treatment might well enable White to be fit for England's important matches next week.

He is not likely to be considered for England's first match against the Netherlands on Sunday, but it is hoped that he will be in contention for a place in the side against Namibia next Wednesday and then for the vital match against Pakistan the following Saturday.