England call up Brydon Carse to World Cup squad in place of injured Reece Topley

Durham pacer set to fly out to India on Tuesday but is unlikely to feature in next game against Sri Lanka

Brydon Carse has taken 14 wickets in 12 one-day internationals for England. Getty

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.

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.”