Struggling England have called up Brydon Carse to replace the injured Reece Topley but the 28-year-old fast-bowler is unlikely to feature in their next game against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
England's hopes of retaining the 50-over title are hanging by a thread after losing three out of four matches so far in India.
In their latest defeat – a record-breaking 229-run thrashing by South Africa in Mumbai on Sunday – Topley, 29, broke his finger while fielding off his own bowling and the injury has subsequently ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
The left-armer had been England's leading wicket-taker, with eight in three matches despite being left out of their opening defeat against New Zealand.
Durham pacer Carse last played in the warm-up game against Ireland last month – when he took 1-40 at Trent Bridge but did not feature in the next game at Bristol, which was abandoned due to rain before England had a chance to bowl – and has taken 14 wickets in 12 one-day internationals.
Carse is set to fly out on Tuesday making it highly unlikely he will play against the Sri Lankans in Bangalore.
“Brydon is a brilliant all-round package,” batter Joe Root said on Monday. “He scores some handy runs, is dynamic in the field and he's got a unique wicket-taking ability. He's got that Stokes element to him where you sometimes feel like nothing is happening and then he’ll pick up wickets, almost in a ‘Junior Plunkett’ kind of way. He’s very similar.
“He's a big personality and a great character to have around, so he's a good addition.”
Root also suggests the seamer could inherit Liam Plunkett's mantle as master of the middle overs.
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South Africa team members celebrate their win over England during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Getty -
Matthew Mott, England coach, and captain Jos Buttler look stoney-faced after losing to South Africa at Wankhede Stadium. Getty -
Gus Atkinson of England is bowled for 35 by Keshav Maharaj of South Africa. Getty -
England's Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid look dejected after the match. Reuters -
South Africa's Marco jumps to unsuccessfully take a catch at the boundary line off a shot from England's Gus Atkinson. AP -
South Africa's Lungi Ngidi celebrates the dismissal of England's David Willey. AP -
South Africa's Gerald Coetzee celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Harry Brook. AFP -
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Ben Stokes. AFP -
Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa is bowled by Gus Atkinson. Getty -
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen, left, celebrates after scoring a century next to Marco Jansen. AFP -
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen plays a shot. AFP -
South Africa's Marco Jansen, left, plays a shot during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between England and South Africa. AP
Plunkett was often undervalued for his role in England's white-ball revolution but played a crucial role in the 2019 final and was the only squad member to enjoy a 100 per cent record at the tournament.
“Pudsey [Plunkett] won't like me saying this, but [Carse] has almost got more to offer with the bat,” Root added.
“He's probably not got as much to offer in the dressing-room just yet, but he's a big personality too and a great character to have around, so he's a good addition. Whenever someone comes in and they're excited, and you can see it on their face straight away, a smile is infectious isn't it?
“It can bring the best out of everyone and having that come into the group can't be a bad thing for sure.”
