Brandon King may miss the remainder of the T20 World Cup following a side strain sustained during the West Indies’ match against England in St Lucia on Wednesday night.
King had started strongly, scoring 23 off just 12 balls, including a powerful 101-meter six off Reece Topley that soared with the wind over midwicket, necessitating a replacement ball. However, his promising innings were cut short on his 13th delivery when he attempted an aggressive shot off Sam Curran. Charging down the pitch to drive the ball through cover, King abruptly halted and crumpled over, requiring medical attention and ultimately having to retire hurt.
He did not return to the field during England’s chase, with Shimron Hetmyer stepping in as a substitute fielder. Cricket West Indies later confirmed that King had sustained a side strain. "Brandon King has suffered a side strain and will not return to the field of play in this evening's match," stated Cricket West Indies.
Side strains typically require several weeks for full recovery, casting doubt on King’s participation for the rest of the tournament, which concludes in just 10 days. Captain Rovman Powell expressed concern over the injury, noting its potential impact on the team.
Powell remarked after the game, "It's a bit concerning, but we hope he can recover in time for the next match. He is a crucial player for us." Despite not having the best run in the tournament, with the highest score of 34, King’s absence would be a significant setback, especially considering his recent role as stand-in captain against South Africa while Powell was participating in the IPL.
To cover for King’s potential absence, the West Indies have five players on standby: Andre Fletcher, Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr., and Matthew Forde. Mayers, who narrowly missed out on the initial squad selection, is the frontrunner to replace King. However, Fletcher, being a top-order batter, also stands as a viable option.
The West Indies are set to travel to Barbados on Thursday for their next Super Eight match against the USA at Kensington Oval on Friday.