Stuart Broad in fitness scare

16/01/2012

England fast bowler Stuart Broad faces a late fitness check before the start of the opening Test match of the series against Pakistan in the UAE.

The Nottinghamshire all-rounder was hit on the foot in the nets by a ball from Jimmy Anderson and has required ice treatment, but the swing bowler is sure his team-mate will recover by the start tomorrow (January 17th) in Dubai.

Anderson described Broad as playing "a bad shot" in the incident, noting that it is a hard ball game, while Broad tweeted that he will be "bowling 2morro no worries (sic)". 

England may be particularly keen to have Broad fit with Tim Bresnan absent through injury.

Fans enjoying hospitality packages at the Trent Bridge Test against the West Indies next summer will also be hoping to see Broad in action then, as his last appearance on his home ground saw him take a sensational hat-trick against India.

Managing director of England cricket Hugh Morris has told the ECB website he expects England's performance to benefit from the two-month break they have had from cricket in the run-up to the tour.

By Ted Walker