Broad injury is a pain in the backside
ENGLAND are set to make an 11th hour decision on whether to risk fast bowler Stuart Broad for today’s crunch Champions Trophy semi-final with Australia.
Broad bowled at full pace in yesterday’s practice session but is still struggling to recover from the small tear in his left buttock which he suffered in Tuesday’s defeat to New Zealand.
The Nottinghamshire seamer will be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness for the clash at Centurion, but coach Andy Flower insists there is plenty of cover available should he not recover in time.
“He bowled a few overs at full pace in the nets and practiced running between the wickets and had a little fielding test,” Flower said.
“He has got a little tear in one of the muscles in his backside, so he’s not 100 per cent. “But we’re going to give him a little more time to see if he can be fit for the game, and give him another test in the morning.
“He’s an important player in our side, who’s just hitting his straps in this tournament, but if we can’t get him in we’ve got other players who can take his place.”
All-rounder Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions are standing by for call-ups although England have also been granted permission by the International Cricket Council to field reserve wicketkeeper Steve Davies as No1 choice Matt Prior is still struggling with illness.
Prior returned to training yesterday but Flower admitted: “He’s over the worst of that illness but he’s still nowhere near 100 per cent though.”