Madsen dislocates shoulder in Italy's World Cup bow

Kolkata—Italy’s fairy-tale entrance into its first T20 World Cup lasted less than four overs after captain Wayne Madsen dislocated his left shoulder diving against Scotland and left the field in obvious pain.

The 42-year-old, whose eligibility traces back to an Italian grandmother and whose résumé spans more than a decade with Derbyshire and a past life as a South Africa hockey international, had become the face of Italy’s unlikely qualification campaign. He was attempting a routine stop in the fourth over when the joint popped out on the dive.

Scotland, already in rampant mood, pressed on to post 207-4 from their 20 overs while medical staff rushed Madsen to the boundary. Head coach John Davison confirmed the shoulder was reduced on the spot but conceded the prognosis for the rest of the tournament is grim.

“The physio managed to get it back in but he’ll have to go and get more scans to see how serious it is,” Davison said. “I think it’d be doubtful. I’m not going to say he’s out, but I think it’d be doubtful if you dislocate your shoulder.”

Italy’s schedule now hangs in the balance. They face Nepal in Mumbai on Thursday, England in Kolkata on 16 February, and West Indies on 19 February, all without their inspirational leader.

The injury leaves Italy scrambling for both personnel and momentum less than 24 hours after the nation’s first-ever World Cup fixture began.