Ian Bell ruled out of the final ODI against India with a broken toe

Ian Bell’s broken toe rules him out of the 5th and final ODI against India

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday that England batsman Ian Bell won’t feature in the 5th and final ODI against India after suffering a broken toe.

Bell had played the 2nd and 3rd ODIs of the ongoing series with the 1st ODI in Bristol being washed out due to rain, but he had to miss out on the 4th ODI after being hit on his left foot while taking throwdowns just a few minutes before the toss.

The 32-year-old’s injury was due to be assessed during practice on Thursday, but the England team management have decided not to take any risk with Bell going into tomorrow’s ODI at Headingley, Leeds.

"England and Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell has been ruled out of the final Royal London ODI against India on Friday with a small fracture to his left big toe, sustained yesterday (Tuesday) before the ODI at Edgbaston," the ECB’s statement read.

"Bell will not be replaced in the squad for the remaining match."

Gary Ballance, who was in excellent form during the Test series, came in for Bell for the 4th ODI in Birmingham, and although he didn’t score too many runs, he can expect to retain his place in the team.

England, who are 3-0 behind in the series and haven’t even put up a fight in any of the ODIs so far, will be desperately keen to win on Friday and prevent a series whitewash at the hands of India.

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