Eoin Morgan set to be fit for England's 2019 Cricket World Cup opener despite finger injury

Captain has 'a small flake fracture' in his left index finger but should still take field on Thursday against South Africa

England captain Eoin Morgan is set to be fit to face South Africa in the opening game of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. PA

Eoin Morgan is hopeful of leading England in next week's World Cup opener despite a finger injury that will keep him out of Saturday's warm-up against Australia.

The captain suffered a scare when he hurt his left index finger during catching drills at the Ageas Bowl on Friday and was sent to hospital for X-rays which showed "a small flake fracture".

That was enough to rule him out of the following day's game but the prognosis was for a full and swift recovery that would see him fit for the tournament curtain-raiser against South Africa in six days.

Speaking on www.cricketworldcup.com, Morgan said: "The digit is the best I could have hoped for. I dropped a catch at training and dislocated it earlier and there's a very small fracture in there but I'm good to go.

"I am going to miss the game tomorrow unfortunately but, as regards to the first game of the tournament, I should be fit to go. Very good news."

Morgan was taking chances from the bowling machine on the outfield when he was struck, lingering on the pitch for a couple of minutes before the discomfort persuaded him to seek assistance.

The decision was taken to send him for what was described as a "precautionary X-ray" and shortly after 2pm he returned to the team hotel, which is part of the stadium complex, in good spirits.

Almost three hours passed before the ECB made the results public and, although it was immediately clear that he would not be taking the field against Australia, the news that it was neither a bad break nor one which would immediately rule him out of the first group match was positive.

Monday's practice against Afghanistan, also at the Oval, was not mentioned but it seems likely that England will only allow their inspirational skipper to take part if he is fully fit.