England’s Stuart Broad remains a doubt for the first Test match against Sri Lanka after he injured his ankle just minutes before the first warm up match against a Sri Lankan Board XI.
Even those looking at soccer betting will be interested to note how Broad bowled for the first time since in the second warm up match against a development XI and he told BBC sport: “I’d suggest it’s Ok, not 100%.”
It was clear to see some signs of Broad’s pain in the sweltering Colombo heat, although he managed to play through in what must of been a tough day for him and his team-mates, as the development XI started to dominate with the bat, reaching 376-5.
Broad managed to come away with 3-69 in the first innings, which is a good sign. This was England’s first real test on the tour after breezing past the Board XI last week.
The England all-rounder would certainly be playing a part for the first Test in Galle on 26th March if fully fit, but with this injury hanging over him it could make way for the in-form Steven Finn or a possible return for Tim Bresnan.
Broad took part in the tourists’ training session and it was clear to see he was in some discomfort during the sprint and team drills, however he was able to bowl in the nets.
Andy Flower faces a difficult decision on whether to risk Broad in the first Test as the heat of Sri Lanka is no place to be a bowler down.
Speaking about the issues, the England coach said “He’s been recovering OK and he will be fitness tested this afternoon. After he’s had a bowl we’ll decide whether we are going to play him.”
“That decision could be made after training or in the morning when we see how he pulls up then.”
In other England news Flower has admitted that his players must remember to respect the umpires no matter how decisions go in the game.
England’s Graham Swann had previously called Sri Lankan Board batsman Dilruwan Perera a ‘cheat’ after he stood his ground after a disputed catch.
The England team were clearly fuming last week with Perera after it appeared Strauss had made a perfectly good catch.
Flower came out after the incident and said “Respect the opposition, respect the officials and respect the country you’re playing – that’s your job.”
England’s first Test gets underway on the 26th March and it’s a big challenge for Strauss’ men who are looking to bounce back in this format of the game after the whitewash from Pakistan earlier this year.