Brandon King likely to be ruled out of remainder of 2024 T20 World Cup 2024 due to injury - Reports
West Indies opening batter Brandon King could miss out on the remainder of the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign due to an apparent side strain injury. He retired hurt while batting on 23 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 contest against England in St.Lucia.
King had hit a massive 101-meter six in the early stages of the contest to get going and had racked up some serious momentum with a flurry of boundaries against Jofra Archer and Sam Curran.
However, in the fifth over, after playing an innocuous shot, King looked in discomfort, leading to the medical team being summoned. After a few minutes of treatment, it was deemed that King would not be able to continue as he walked back to the pavilion.
Cricket West Indies released a statement soon after where it was mentioned that he would not be partaking in the remainder of the contest, and a report from ESPNcricinfo mentions that he is likely to be ruled out of the tournament too.
"Brandon King has suffered a side strain and will not return to the field of play in this evenings match," the statement read
Brandon King has had a mixed tournament so far. He started by scoring 34 runs in West Indies' nervy win over Papua New Guinea. However, a string of poor scores has followed him since.
"Just a bit worried, but hopefully he can pull through for the next game" - Rovman Powell on King's injury
West Indies were not troubled following King's departure due to the side strain. The Windies batters went about their business and were on the lookout to post a mammoth total. However, a flurry of wickets towards the back end of the innings, coupled with some excellent death bowling by England restricted them to 180-4.
The total proved inadequate as England managed to chase it down with more than two overs to spare, which comes as a huge blow to West Indies' net run rate as well.
"Just a bit worried, but hopefully he can pull through for the next game. We know how important a player he is for us." West Indies skipper Rovman Powell said of Brandon King's injury during the post-match presentation.
West Indies have the option of bringing Shai Hope back into the mix to open the innings or summon someone from the reserves. The Windies have Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr., and Matthew Forde on stand by, with two players in the form of Fletcher and Mayers being opening batters.
Mayers could arguably be the ideal candidate considering his potential as well as the fact that he is a left-handed batter, which bodes well with Charles at the top.