England [ Images ] captain Andrew Strauss [ Images ] on Thursday blasted Middlesex batter Owais Shah [ Images ] after he injured Kent batsman Joe Denly [ Images ] in a tackle during a warm-up football match.

Denly collapsed in agony clutching his left knee and was taken to hospital following a challenge by Shah during the kickabout.

Strauss was furious as Shah clattered into Denly despite a strict ''no-tackle'' rule imposed by the team management.

The Sun quoted the skipper said: "You'd like to think the players would be sensible enough in the warm-ups not to take it too far. But I think they did today. When we play football, we have a no-tackling rule but I'm not sure it was heeded."

Denly, 23, is not the first England ace to be injured playing football in recent years.

James Anderson [ Images ] twisted his ankle in a warm-down during a Test in New Zealand [ Images ] two winters ago and left on crutches.

He bowled the next day but was below full capacity.

Denly is out of Friday's NatWest Series opener against Australia [ Images ] at the Brit Oval - and could be struggling to play in the remaining six games.

A specialist will reassess him on Friday.

Strauss revealed he would consider banning football at the start of England's practice sessions in future.