Defending champions Australia rode on Steve Smith`s century to beat England by 12 runs in a closely-fought World Cup warm-up match in Southampton on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 298 to win, England were bowled out for 285 in the final over but the tournament hosts will be more concerned about injuries than the result.

With<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-captain-eoin-morgan-to-have-x-ray-in-pre-world-cup-scare-221392"> captain Eoin Morgan</a> not playing due to a fractured finger, England had another scare when fast bowlers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer sustained injuries.

Wood was troubled by his left foot and bowled only three overs before leaving the field for treatment while Archer injured himself while sliding to save a boundary before returning 30 minutes later.

"Mark Wood is to have a precautionary scan," the England Cricket Board said in a statement, as reported by ESPN.

"England`s medical team want to ensure there is nothing serious in the build-up to the start of the World Cup."

Smith hit eight fours and three sixes in his 116 off 102 balls before he was caught and bowled by Tom Curran in the final over.

"To get 300 was superb," Australian skipper Aaron Finch said. "Steve played an unbelievable knock."

England`s Liam Plunkett conceded 69 runs in his nine overs but picked up four wickets -- including top-order batsmen David Warner (43) and Shaun Marsh (30).

"The pitch was slower than some of the pitches we`ve played on before," England`s acting captain Jos Buttler said. "It was still a good wicket, but didn`t have the pace it normally has."

England`s top scorer was James Vince, who hit a patient 64 off 76 deliveries before he was caught by Nathan Lyon attempting to cut a short ball. Buttler chipped in with a quick-fire 52 off 31 balls which included three sixes.

England plays one more warm-up match against Afghanistan on Monday before kicking off their World Cup campaign against South Africa on Thursday.

Australia plays Sri Lanka on Monday before their first match of the campaign on June 1 against Afghanistan.

Defending champions Australia rode on Steve Smith`s century to beat England by 12 runs in a closely-fought World Cup warm-up match in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing a target of 298 to win, England were bowled out for 285 in the final over but the tournament hosts will be more concerned about injuries than the result.

Defending champions Australia rode on Steve Smith`s century to beat England by 12 runs in a closely-fought World Cup warm-up match in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing a target of 298 to win, England were bowled out for 285 in the final over but the tournament hosts will be more concerned about injuries than the result. With captain Eoin Morgan not playing due to a fractured finger, England had another scare when fast bowlers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer sustained injuries. Wood was troubled by his left foot and bowled only three overs before leaving the field for treatment while Archer injured himself while sliding to save a boundary before returning 30 minutes later. "Mark Wood is to have a precautionary scan," the England Cricket Board said in a statement, as reported by ESPN. "England`s medical team want to ensure there is nothing serious in the build-up to the start of the World Cup." Smith hit eight fours and three sixes in his 116 off 102 balls before he was caught and bowled by Tom Curran in the final over. "To get 300 was superb," Australian skipper Aaron Finch said. "Steve played an unbelievable knock." England`s Liam Plunkett conceded 69 runs in his nine overs but picked up four wickets -- including top-order batsmen David Warner (43) and Shaun Marsh (30). "The pitch was slower than some of the pitches we`ve played on before," England`s acting captain Jos Buttler said. "It was still a good wicket, but didn`t have the pace it normally has." England`s top scorer was James Vince, who hit a patient 64 off 76 deliveries before he was caught by Nathan Lyon attempting to cut a short ball. Buttler chipped in with a quick-fire 52 off 31 balls which included three sixes. England plays one more warm-up match against Afghanistan on Monday before kicking off their World Cup campaign against South Africa on Thursday. Australia plays Sri Lanka on Monday before their first match of the campaign on June 1 against Afghanistan.

Steve Smith shines as Australia edge out England in World Cup warm-up

England fast bowler Mark Wood has returned home from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to play for Durham in a bid to keep his place in the test side, the 28-year-old has said.

Wood played for the Chennai Super Kings in their opening win against champions Mumbai Indians but was not picked in their next nine matches.

"The decision has been made for me to return home to England to prepare for the English summer," Wood wrote in an Instagram post.

"Having worked so hard to get back in the test team, and because I`m not currently in the CSK side, I am coming home to play for Durham to hopefully put my name in the hat for test match selection."

Wood has played 11 tests for England, the last against New Zealand at Christchurch from March 30-April 3, and has taken 28 wickets.

He will be available for Durham`s County Championship match against Derbyshire this week and will hope to make the England squad for the two-test series against Pakistan starting later this month.

"It`s a massive boost to have Mark available for Friday. On the occasions we`ve had him available to play for us over the last few years, he`s made some great contributions," Durham head coach Jon Lewis said in a statement.

"He comes back to us with a big point to prove and is eager to nail down his spot in the England test side.&nbsp;

"The IPL didn`t give him the playing opportunities he would have liked but he has still learnt from great players and this is a move which suits all parties."

Wood has played 11 tests for England, the last against New Zealand at Christchurch from March 30-April 3, and has taken 28 wickets

England fast bowler Mark Wood has returned home from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to play for Durham in a bid to keep his place in the test side, the 28-year-old has said. Wood played for the Chennai Super Kings in their opening win against champions Mumbai Indians but was not picked in their next nine matches. "The decision has been made for me to return home to England to prepare for the English summer," Wood wrote in an Instagram post. "Having worked so hard to get back in the test team, and because I`m not currently in the CSK side, I am coming home to play for Durham to hopefully put my name in the hat for test match selection." Wood has played 11 tests for England, the last against New Zealand at Christchurch from March 30-April 3, and has taken 28 wickets. He will be available for Durham`s County Championship match against Derbyshire this week and will hope to make the England squad for the two-test series against Pakistan starting later this month. "It`s a massive boost to have Mark available for Friday. On the occasions we`ve had him available to play for us over the last few years, he`s made some great contributions," Durham head coach Jon Lewis said in a statement. "He comes back to us with a big point to prove and is eager to nail down his spot in the England test side. "The IPL didn`t give him the playing opportunities he would have liked but he has still learnt from great players and this is a move which suits all parties."

England's Mark Wood ends IPL stint

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is halfway through and three franchises' Bangalore, Chennai and Rajasthan faced a huge blow on Monday.&nbsp

Before the tournament commenced, the teams had to bid adieu to a few remarkable players due to injury and now four more players will take an early exit due to their international commitments.

According to media reports, English cricketers Moeen Ali (Bangalore), Chris Woakes (Bangalore), Mark Wood (Chennai) and Ben Stokes (Rajasthan) have to return home.

&nbspThe players are part of the English Test squad which is scheduled to play Pakistan in a two-match Test series starting May 24.

Considering that ECB will recall its players at least a week before the start of international fixtures, these four might leave the tournament by May 17.

While Stokes, Woakes and Wood are confirmed selection in England Test squad, Moeen Ali might be dropped. But the chances are quite less.&nbsp

Talking about their IPL performance, Woakes failed to impress and got dropped from the playing XI.&nbsp

Wood has played just one game and was dropped after he leaked 49 runs with no success.&nbsp

Moeen Ali is yet to make his IPL debut and has warmed bench till now.&nbsp

Meanwhile, Stokes, the costliest buy in IPL 2018 auction, has been a regular part of playing XI but has failed to impress.&nbsp

He is yet to come up with a match-winning performance for his side.&nbsp

Before the tournament commenced, the teams had to bid adieu to a few remarkable players due to injury

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is halfway through and three franchises' Bangalore, Chennai and Rajasthan faced a huge blow on Monday. Before the tournament commenced, the teams had to bid adieu to a few remarkable players due to injury and now four more players will take an early exit due to their international commitments. According to media reports, English cricketers Moeen Ali (Bangalore), Chris Woakes (Bangalore), Mark Wood (Chennai) and Ben Stokes (Rajasthan) have to return home. &nbspThe players are part of the English Test squad which is scheduled to play Pakistan in a two-match Test series starting May 24. Considering that ECB will recall its players at least a week before the start of international fixtures, these four might leave the tournament by May 17. While Stokes, Woakes and Wood are confirmed selection in England Test squad, Moeen Ali might be dropped. But the chances are quite less. Talking about their IPL performance, Woakes failed to impress and got dropped from the playing XI. Wood has played just one game and was dropped after he leaked 49 runs with no success. Moeen Ali is yet to make his IPL debut and has warmed bench till now. Meanwhile, Stokes, the costliest buy in IPL 2018 auction, has been a regular part of playing XI but has failed to impress. He is yet to come up with a match-winning performance for his side.

Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes to leave IPL 2018 midway

mark-wood

Mark Wood, News on Mark Wood, stories on Mark Wood, articles on Mark Wood, Mark Wood stories at Wion, Mark Wood news, Mark Wood latest news

mark wood

Steve Smith shines as Australia edge out England in World Cup warm-up

England's Mark Wood ends IPL stint

Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes to leave IPL 2018 midway