ENGLAND 'A' all-rounder Vikram Solanki is waiting on the results of an X-ray on a suspected broken finger in St Lucia after being injured while fielding in the slips in the Busta Cup match against Windward Islands.

An unlucky week for the tourists took a turn for the worse in the closing stages of a day, shortened by rain and bad light, when the Worcestershire star dived to catch a ball at second slip that had rocketed to him off the bat of Deighton Butler.

The impact gashed the finger and Solanki left the field immediately holding his left hand, the severity of the injury clear from his expressions of pain.

He was taken to the Tapion Hospital in Castries for X-rays and the England 'A' team management are still waiting on the results.

"It did not look too good but we are just waiting to find out the news," said manager James Whitaker.

"It was badly gashed but it is too early to say if it is broken. If it is, he will have to go home."

The departure of Solanki will represent a major setback to England 'A' hopes of reaching the semi-finals despite the call-up of Warwickshire youngster Ian Bell, to replace Aftab Habib who was forced to return to the UK this week with an injured shoulder.

Solanki has made 214 runs so far in the Busta Cup, the tourists' fourth-highest scorer but his work in the slips - taking 20 catches - has put him at the top of the tournament catchers' table, ahead of all eight wicketkeepers.

After the departure of Habib and before him David Sales, who fell in a game of beach volleyball in Grenada on New Year's Day and twisted his knee, England A's batting options have been reduced.

Michael Powell was flown in from South Africa to replace Sales and his Warwickshire colleague Bell will join up with the squad in Anguilla next week.

Rain in St Lucia is already threatening England A's hopes in the competition -- just 56 overs of play were possible on the first day -- and more rain overnight means another shortened day today.

At the close England 'A' were in a strong position having reduced the home side to 124 for seven in the first innings.