Heather Knight to miss England's Commonwealth Games opener against Sri Lanka

The captain has been nursing a hip problem and will be absent for the game at Edgbaston, with Nat Sciver coming in as skipper

England will kick off their Commonwealth Games campaign against Sri Lanka without captain Heather Knight.

Knight has been nursing a hip joint injury which forced her to miss the second and third T20Is against South Africa.

She suffered the blow during the opening game at Chelmsford and has had an injection to help manage the issue.

^{England's players attended Thursday's opening ceremony in Birmingham (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

But the London Spirit skipper has failed to recover in time to start the tournament on Saturday (July 30, 6pm), though it is still hoped she can feature in the second group match against South Africa next week. Vice-captain Nat Sciver, who has led England in five T20Is - winning four of them - will deputise.

"It's frustrating but the thing with these injuries is you have to be patient and give them the time to heal properly and not rush back too quickly," Knight told Press Association.

Seventeen-year-old Alice Capsey, who stood in for Knight in Worcester and Derby, is expected to be included in the playing XI. She took 1 for 10 on debut and struck 25 in the 38-run success in the third T20I.

Related Topics

• Cricket at the Commonwealth Games: What to look out for...
• Commonwealth Games 2022 team guide: England
• England are taking shape but can they bridge the gap to Australia?
• England assessing Heather Knight hip problem ahead of Commonwealth Games