Snape faces x-ray on injured thumb

England have yet another injury concern following their eight-wicket defeat at the hands of New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Off-spinner Jeremy Snape was hit on the right thumb by the first delivery he faced from Brett Lee and will have an X-ray tomorrow, while Hussain left the field to receive ice treatment on a sore left thigh and right knee.

England's top scorer Ronnie Irani admitted: "It was difficult conditions for us and they didn't have a lot to lose but showed superb flair and were quite awesome. We were probably about 30 or 40 runs short but in saying that they made it look easy in the end.

"In Australia in one-day cricket, whatever score you think is good on that sort of wicket you have got to add 20 or 30 runs on because they're that good at the moment - and that wasn't Australia.

"Nasser (Hussain) will be very disappointed," added Irani. "He's very passionate about his side whether they are playing New South Wales or Australia and he wants to do well. He's obviously hurting inside about what's happened on this tour, there's no doubt about that.

"He's passionate as captain and wants England to do well and lives, sleeps and breathes every minute for the English national team. It's a huge disappointment for him so far, but he's up for these games and he's up for the rest of the series.

"It's tough, but it's tough when you're at the top and he's captain of England playing against the best team in the world - he's a survivor, he's not someone who gives up and he's a fighter."

Meanwhile New South Wales centurion Michael Slater had some sympathy for England, and believes they can take some positives from the defeat as they prepare for Sunday's day-night encounter with Australia A at the same venue.

"It's early on for them in this one-day campaign and tonight was a good outing for them," said Slater. "They've come up against a strong NSW side who have been playing good cricket so far this summer.

"I suppose some of the English lads have come in to join the one-day squad and they haven't had a lot of cricket recently. Fortunately for England this is not the competition they're here for and I'm sure they'll take a lot out of the game."