England handed injury concern after Alice Capsey leaves field with shoulder problem

The teenager landed awkwardly as she dived at fine leg in an attempt to prevent a top-edged hook reaching the boundary and remained on the ground for several minutes in obvious pain while she received treatment

England Women have been handed a major concern in the opening match of their West Indies tour after Alice Capsey had to be helped off the field with a shoulder injury.

The teenager landed awkwardly as she dived at fine leg in an attempt to prevent a top-edged hook reaching the boundary and remained on the ground for several minutes in obvious pain while she received treatment.

A stretcher was called for, though Capsey was eventually able to walk away gingerly with her left arm propped up.

"Alice Capsey injured her left shoulder on the field," said an ECB statement. "She has left the field of play and is being assessed at the ground by ECB medical staff."

She has since been taken to hospital for further assessment.

^{West Indies captain Hayley Matthews also suffered an injury in the first ODI of the series (Both images: CWI Media)}

It would be a cruel blow for the 18-year-old at the start of a major winter for England, who will be hoping that the issue doesn't cause a lengthy absence.

Capsey was awarded a central contract at the start of last month, has just completed her first stint in the Women's Big Bash and would likely be a key member of England's side at the T20 World Cup in February.

She opened the batting in an ODI for the first time on Sunday, picked ahead of Emma Lamb to partner Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order. She made 17 off 13 balls before edging an attempted cut shot behind.

Capsey wasn't the first player to suffer an injury in the first ODI of the three-match series: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews retired hurt while batting with a muscle problem on her left leg.

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