England expect Mark Wood to get the all clear and give them a World Cup boost after a scan on his ankle showed no serious damage.

Wood could only bowl 3.1 overs on Saturday against Australia before leaving the field complaining of pain in his left foot. Wood’s injury record heightened fears he could be out of the tournament, particularly as he has had three operations on his left ankle and played only one serious match this summer.

But an initial assessment of scans on his ankle and calf were clear and the England medical team are hoping a specialist will confirm on Monday he is fine to start playing again with his pace earmarked as a major weapon in this tournament. Wood clocked over 90mph before he went off injured and his partnerships with Jofra Archer will be a massive strength for England.

He will not play against Afghanistan at the Oval in England’s final warm-up match before Thursday’s opening World Cup game against South Africa.

Several England players have niggles and the management are frustrated they have to play meaningless friendlies having already prepared for the World Cup with a proper five match ODI series against Pakistan. They have nothing to gain from these games, but risk collecting further injuries. Warm-up opposition could be provided by county sides but these games give the broadcasters two more matches involving India and Pakistan, boosting the value of media rights for the ICC and advertising income for the television stations.

Eoin Morgan has a minor fracture of his left index finger and even though he is making good progress, he is unlikely to play today. A final decision will be made this morning. Chris Woakes  played as a batsman against Australia while he nurses a chronic knee injury, and England are unsure if he will be risk bowling today. Liam Dawson cut his right hand against Australia and even though it is not his bowling hand, he is likely to miss the match against Afghanistan. Adil Rashid bowled in the Oval nets on Sunday as he builds up his right shoulder after an injection last week.

Joe Root will return having missed the Australia match following the death of his grandfather. Jos Buttler will again captain the side in the absence of Morgan.

England lost by 12 runs to Australia, a meaningless result but it did enable Steve Smith to gain confidence from a hundred against the world’s no 1 one-day side and get his first game in Australian colours since his ban out of the way.

He and David Warner were booed throughout the game , an insight of what to expect for the rest of the summer. “Imagine if we went over to Australia in the same position, it would be ten times worse,” said Jonny Bairstow. “It is going to be one of those things they are expecting.”

Australia knew what was coming but some looked rattled by the reception. “They’re ruthless over here. I’ve had two Ashes tours and a one-day series over here and haven’t experienced anything else. They’re ruthless and not much love. They haven’t changed their lines in 12 months,” said Nathan Lyon, the Australia off-spinner.

Lyon stirred up controversy on the last Ashes tour by saying the on the eve of the first Test in Brisbane that Australia wanted to ‘end careers’ of England players but that kind of talk now runs contrary to the new culture Cricket Australia is trying to encourage after the ball tampering scandal. Not many expect it to last long.

“It depends who we’re talking about. But we’re not talking about the Ashes at the moment we’re talking about the World Cup,” said Lyon. “England are favourites, they deserve that the way they’re playing one-day cricket, so I’m not going to come here and cause headlines. I’m going to worry about what we’re doing and we’re training our backsides off and having a lot of fun. I’m very competitive and I don’t think I’m going to change very much.”

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A match against Afghanistan has the potential for embarrassment for England. Afghanistan have proved already by beating Pakistan in Bristol on Saturday that they will provide stiff opposition even in English conditions.

If Afghanistan pick a full strength team it will at least give England a chance to face Rashid Khan, the world’s leading T20 spin bowler. Bairstow played alongside him in the IPL for Sunrisers and will give his team-mates some advice on what to expect.

“He is a very dangerous bowler. His wrist comes over that quickly, there is a reason why he is no 1 T20 bowler in the world,” said Bairstow. “We need to negate that because he will be a big threat. He bowls quick, tries to hit the stumps. Try to play him as straight as possible will be key.”