LONDON, June 11: New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee is doubtful for the one-off Twenty20 against England after suffering a sprained right ankle, a statement issued by the team management said on Tuesday.

Southee injured his ankle during fielding practice in Nottingham on Monday, but a scan in London on Tuesday cleared him of serious injury.

However, he was withdrawn from the team to play Worcestershire in Wednesday’s warm-up match at New Road and was described by a team spokesman as a “doubtful starter” for Friday’s Twenty20 against England at Old Trafford.

Southee, 19, played in the drawn first Test at Lord’s before illness and the form of Iain O’Brien kept him out of the side for the remaining matches of a series England's innings victory at Trent Bridge on Sunday saw them win 2-0.—AFP