Newton flies home after breaking finger

Laura Newton has left England's tour party and flown home after fracturing a finger when fielding at cover in the third one-dayer against India on Sunday. She will visit a specialist who may prescribe surgery. The opening batsman Newton is the second casualty of the trip; the allrounder Katherine Brunt is already back in England after breaking a bone in her hand.

Newton had a poor start to the one-dayers, with two ducks in succession, but hit her straps on Sunday with 40 as England slipped 2-1 behind India in the five-match series. She also hit 59 and 60 in England's 2-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka earlier this tour. "I'm obviously disappointed to have to leave at such a late stage in this tour," she said. "I'd have liked to have finished the job we started as a team, but these things happen and I have to accept that.

"This squad has a do-or-die attitude and I know they'll come out fighting for the remaining two games. It's always tough touring India and this time has been no exception. We've had highs and lows and I'm sure the girls will focus on the positives to ensure the tour finishes with success. I'll be following it all closely from home and wish them the best of luck." Richard Bates added: "It's definitely a huge blow to lose another key member of the squad. Laura is a prolific run scorer for us and to lose her as well as Katherine Brunt is a major loss.

"As a squad we now really need to rally round, pull together and above all be strong as a unit. I really feel for Laura, but following medical advice the best thing for her is to fly back to the UK straight away and seek further medical opinion."

With Newton missing, Caroline Atkins may be boosted from the middle order to opener. Atkins was originally included in the squad as a replacement for Clare Connor, who has an injured ankle, but has batted in the top spot before - with some success. As an opener, Atkins averages 25.4 compared to 21.5 lower down the order. Her only one-day fifty has come from opening, too.