Shahzad injury blow for England

England's depleted bowling attack has been handed a further blow after Ajmal Shahzad was ruled out for the remainder of the one-day international series against Australia with a hamstring injury.

Scans revealed that Shahzad had sustained a minor hamstring tear and while he will not play in the final two games of the already-lost series, he will remain with the squad in Australia to begin his rehabilitation ahead of the World Cup.

Fellow quick Chris Tremlett will also miss Wednesday's sixth one-dayer in Sydney due to a side strain, although he will be reassessed in the coming days after scans revealed he had not sustained a tear.

"Shahzad has suffered the type of minor hamstring tear that requires at least eight days of rest, and as such he will be rested," an England & Wales Cricket Board spokeswoman said.

"He will remain with the England squad in Australia where he will be in the best place to begin his rehabilitation from the injury.

"The England team are remaining cautious with Tremlett (who is not a part of the World Cup squad) despite the scans showing no sign of a tear.

"The specialists will take another look at him in the coming days and make a further assessment before the final game of the series in Perth on Sunday."

Shahzad's injury does, however, mean that four of the bowlers England selected for the World Cup are currently sidelined by injury.

Spinner Graeme Swann (back/knee) and Tim Bresnan (calf) were forced to leave the tour early last week, while Stuart Broad is still recovering from the stomach injury he suffered during the Ashes.

All four are expected to be fit in time for the start of the World Cup, though, with Broad revealing on Monday that he was ahead of schedule in his return.