Cricket World Cup: England's Jos Buttler expected to be fit for West Indies

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Jos ButtlerImage source, Rex Features
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Buttler has scored nine one-day international centuries and averages 42.22

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, England v West Indies

Venue: Southampton Date: Friday, 14 June Time: 10:30 BST

Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, text commentary and in-play clips on the BBC Sport website and app

England expect wicketkeeper Jos Buttler to be fit for Friday's World Cup game against West Indies at Southampton.

The 28-year-old has been receiving treatment for "heavy bruising" to a hip, which was aggravated while batting in Saturday's win against Bangladesh.

Buttler, who made 64 from 44 balls but did not take to the field, will train fully with the squad on Wednesday.

"He is fine. It was some bad bruising," said coach Trevor Bayliss.

"He could have kept in last game but wasn't confident sprinting after a catch so we thought we would be careful preserving him for the rest of the tournament."

Buttler seemed to sustain the injury when hitting a six, and it affected his running between the wickets.

He scored 103 in England's defeat by Pakistan in their second game and averages 61.66 in the tournament.

He is a key member of an England side who are favourites to win the World Cup.

All-rounder Moeen Ali will miss training on Wednesday after the birth of his daughter but will rejoin the squad on Thursday and will be available to play West Indies.

Pace bowlers will be 'rubbing their hands'

England will face a West Indies side who bowled out Pakistan and Australia in their two completed matches in the competition.

In their other game , they had South Africa 29-2 when rain ended the contest.

Oshane Thomas, who is capable of bowling at well in excess of 90mph, has six wickets at an average of 15.

England coach Trevor Bayliss said: "I have not seen too many with express pace here just yet, but we have a couple of good ones too, so I expect it to be tit for tat.

"In the Caribbean, we were a little bit up and down. They bowled fast but then Mark Wood made a few of their guys jump up and down.

"The wicket here is reasonably flat and it has been in the past. There have been a few more wickets in the World Cup than there has been in the last few years so I expect the fast bowlers are rubbing their hands together."

Listen to the full interview with Trevor Bayliss on the Test Match Special podcast later on Wednesday.