Ian Bell was passed fit to play for England on Saturday in the first NatWest Series match against West Indies despite his suspected broken jaw.
There was relief therefore for England at the Ageas Bowl, but a shock for the tourists - and a near sell-out crowd - when it emerged West Indies' destructive opener Chris Gayle was out with an injured shin.
Bell edged a pull into his chin during indoor net practice on Friday, and cut himself so badly he needed 10 stitches in the wound.
But England refused to rule him out and decided on Saturday that the man set to take the place of the retired Kevin Pietersen at the top of the limited-overs order was fit for purpose.
Bell would get an immediate chance to prove the point too, after West Indies captain Darren Sammy chose to bowl first on a cloudy morning.
England named a four-strong seam attack, with no place therefore for slow-bowling all-rounder Samit Patel.
For the tourists, Dwayne Smith was expected to deputise for Gayle as opener, with Marlon Samuels coming into the middle order.
Update:
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