Moeen Ali's availability for the remainder of the fifth Ashes Test is in significant doubt after England confirmed their frontline spinner would not field on day two at The Oval.
Moeen hurt his groin while running between the wickets on Thursday, and while he continued to bat in some discomfort he did not field in the final session.
His absence on Friday means England will be asked to play without their chief spinner, with the hosts set to rely upon part-timer Joe Root to fill the role.
It also means Moeen will almost certainly be unable to bat at No.3 in England's second innings, leaving either Root or Harry Brook to shuffle up into the role.
Generally regarded as a bowling allrounder, Moeen had only been batting at No.3 as England did not want to move Root, Brook or Jonny Bairstow up the order.
The injury means Moeen has potentially bowled his last ball in Test cricket, given he was pulled out of retirement for this Ashes and has not said he wants to play on beyond it.
Moeen has taken six wickets at an average of 64.5 in this series.
