Ashish Nehra's inclusion in the team for India's key game against England in Durban on Wednesday is still "uncertain".

 

The Indian paceman sprained his ankle in Sunday's league match against Namibia at Pietermaritzburg, after bowling just one ball in his first over, and walked off the ground.

 

Nehra did not reappear on the ground for the rest of the game, nor did he take part in the "optional" nets that the Indian team had at the Kingsmead here this evening.

 

Indian coach John Wright said that final word on the condition of the Delhi paceman would only be known on Tuesday morning.

 

Sources within the team said Nehra was walking around in the team hotel without any visible sign of his injury, and has been having extended sessions with team physio Andrew Leipus.

 

One possible indication that the injury could not be serious and that the team was only playing it safe has come through the team's decision not to call for any specialist medical help to treat the paceman.

 

In case Nehra is ruled out for the England match ahead of the encounter with Pakistan on Saturday, India has only two options: to go in with Anil Kumble who played against Holland and Australia but whose record against England is not up to par, or go in for either Ajit Agarkar or Sanjay Bangar, neither of whom has played a single match in the tournament and whose match fitness, therefore, is somewhat suspect.