England cricketer opens up on why he almost had his toe AMPUTATED in bid to end injury hell... before doctors advised him against drastic move

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Brydon Carse considered having a toe amputated last winter to end a six-month injury ordeal.
Unable to prevent a wound worsening whenever he bowled — even stitches applied prior to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan burst — the England fast bowler was ready to take drastic action on his left 'pointer', the one next to the big toe.
Ben Stokes 's late father Ged famously had a finger end taken off to continue playing professional rugby league in the 1980s and Carse's problematic toe was lined up for similar treatment after it became the talk of the England dressing room.
'People were pretty forward with their opinions about getting it removed and at one stage I was going to bed thinking, 'I could actually do this', but then the medical staff told me that I needed my second toe for balance, so that was ruled out,' said Carse, ahead of Friday's first Twenty20 international between England and West Indies at his home ground of Chester-le-Street.
Plastic surgery was also discounted, with doctors advising the best cure for an issue that mushroomed from a fairly routine cut last September was a lengthy period of rest.
'The cut led into a wound and that led into the wound becoming infected a couple of times, and for about six to eight weeks I was on three or four different courses of antibiotics,' Carse recalled.
'Eventually the wound was that deep it ultimately needed a period of time just to heal and close up. Fingers crossed, everything that we've done (recently) seems to be working.'
Those things include switching to a narrower bowling boot and wearing new insoles, raising his heel arch and reducing some of the pressure when his foot hits the pitch in his delivery stride.
The 29-year-old missed the innings win against Zimbabwe last month but, on Thursday, he was named in England's 14-man squad to face India in the first Test at Headingley.
There was also a surprise recall for Jamie Overton, whose only Test appearance to date came three years ago in Leeds when he struck 97 from No 8 to help England beat New Zealand.
The 31-year-old has a broken little finger, but will act as back-up to an attack missing the injured Gus Atkinson.
Essex's Sam Cook edged out Matt Potts after debuting against Zimbabwe, while Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue will build up their bowling loads ahead of the series opener on June 20 by featuring for England Lions against India A this week.
There is even optimism within the camp that Jofra Archer could join the fray for the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2, should the paceman come through Sussex's County Championship fixture against Durham this month unscathed.
Jacob Bethell's return gives the selectors a tricky call at the top of the order. Only two of Bethell, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope will begin the five-match series.
Jacob Bethell continues to give England selectors a headache ahead of the Tests against India
Phil Salt will miss the three T20 contests against West Indies on paternity leave, with Jamie Smith replacing him.
First T20 v West Indies
Starts 6.30pm, Chester-le-Street.