Nasser Hussain identifies England ‘downside’ despite exciting Sri Lanka victory

England made it four straight wins at the T20 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Monday, but there was one low-point during an otherwise exhilarating victory

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England maintained their perfect record at the 2021 T20 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka on Monday, but the victory was marred by an injury to fast-bowler Tymal Mills.

Mills, 29, was 1.3 overs into his spell and set to play a key role at the death when he signalled to the balcony that he needed to come off.

The left-armer never returned to the field, and now faces a scan on is right quad in the next 48 hours to determine if he’ll play any further part in the tournament.

Mills has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, diagnosed with a congenital back condition in 2015 and last winter, he spent three months on the sidelines while he recovered from a stress fracture.

Writing in his column for the Daily Mail , Nasser Hussain described the Sussex player’s misfortune as the only ‘downside’ of another vital win for Eoin Morgan’s side.

“The only downside is Mills,” wrote the Sky Sports commentator.

“The poor lad has had so many injuries over the years you can only hope this quad problem is not serious.

“And if it is, England must hope Mark Wood will be fit to provide that all-important extra pace in the remaining matches.”

Wood himself has been struggling having received a pain-killing injection in his ankle, and along with fellow fast-bowler David Willey, has yet to feature in this World Cup.

England are already without their main T20 strike bowler Jofra Archer, who back in August was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow.

Monday’s win was far from plain sailing, with Morgan’s men recovering from being 35-3 thanks to a supreme innings from Jos Buttler, who racked up 101 not out from 67 deliveries.

The skipper himself also made 40 to help post a total of 163-4, before Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, and Chris Jordan took two wickets each as Sri Lanka fell to 137 all out.

And Hussain, 53, thinks the test was exactly what England needed after three comfortable wins.

“That was exactly the type of close, hard-fought game England needed at this stage of the World Cup. They will be better for coming through this examination by Sri Lanka and the disadvantage that teams have here in batting first under lights,” he said.

“And it was good for the tournament that England proved you can win bowling second — it is not just a case of ‘win the toss, win the game’ at this World Cup.”