News

Broad suffers recurrence of heel injury

Fast bowler Stuart Broad has been sent for scan on his left heel and is a doubt for England's two T20 matches against India

George Dobell
George Dobell
11-Dec-2012
Stuart Broad could miss the Twenty20s against India  •  AFP

Stuart Broad could miss the Twenty20s against India  •  AFP

Fast bowler Stuart Broad has been sent for scan on his left heel and is a doubt for England's two T20 matches against India.
Broad suffered a recurrence of the heel injury that threatened his involvement in the first Test of the series during training at the VCA Stadium on Tuesday, ahead of the fourth and final Test of the series that starts on Thursday.
While Broad is unlikely to win a recall to the side for that game, he remains a key player in England's T20 side. His absence would also necessitate England naming a new captain for the two games. Eoin Morgan would appear to be the likely replacement.
It may be an inexperienced looking England squad assembled for the T20 games. Not only have experienced players such as Graeme Swann and Kevin Pietersen been rested, but senior coaches Andy Flower, Graham Gooch and the team manager Phil Neale are also going home immediately after the Test. Richard Halsall, the assistant coach, will take charge.
The training session also afforded England their first look at the Nagpur pitch. While it has not been used recently, unlike the tracks used in Mumbai and Kolkata, it looks white and dry. The curator has been asked by the BCCI not to talk to the media, but those close to him suggest the groundstaff stopped watering the pitch a couple of days ago and expect it to start assisting spinners on the second day. The outfield, however, is lush and green which may not aid the seamers on either side as they search for reverse swing.
There have only been three Tests at this ground and none of them have ended in a draw. On all three occasions, the side winning the toss has batted first - as they surely will again - and on two of those occasions they have gone on to win the game.

George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo