Broad to return in ODI final at Lord’s

STUART BROAD is expected to feature for Nottinghamshire in today’s Royal London One-Day Cup final against Surrey after recovering from a bruised heel. The England seamer had been a doubt for the clash, after sustaining the injury in last week’s County Championship victory over Leicestershire, but was last night named in Peter Moores’ squad. The inclusion of Broad, 31, will also provide a timely boost for England ahead of the first Test against South Africa, which begins next week. England team-mate Alex Hales is included, as are Australian pace bowler James Pattinson and in-form all-rounder Samit Patel. ‘Stuart’s going exceptionally well,’ said skipper Chris Read. ‘He’s had the bit between his teeth, certainly in white-ball cricket, he’s in fantastic form.’ Surrey, meanwhile, are hoping it will be a case of third time lucky after successive defeats in the final against Gloucestershire in 2015 and Warwickshire in 2016. ‘We are playing some very good cricket,’ said captain Gareth Batty, who believes the county’s recent defeats in finals will have no influence on today’s result. ‘This is a new year, a new competition and a new game. I feel like we are in a good place. History stays in history and we are looking to the future.’ If they are to win, Surrey will look to the dependable pair of Kumar Sangakarra and Ben Foakes for runs. Foakes’ average in this tournament is 120, while Sangakkara sits on an similarly impressive 85.