Broad’s on course for India Test

STUART BROAD is on track to play in England’s first Test against India — but will need to prove his fitness. Broad experienced swelling in his left ankle during the two-Test series against Pakistan, since when he has bowled only 22 overs for Nottinghamshire. But he has since had pain-killing injections, and last week bowled 17 overs in the nets. He intends to play in Notts’ four-day Championship match against Surrey at Trent Bridge starting on Sunday. Assuming he emerges unscathed, he will be ready to take on India at Edgbaston on August 1. With Broad’s Test new-ball partner Jimmy Anderson appearing for Lancashire Seconds yesterday, the pieces are falling into place for England’s seam attack. Anderson, 35, took two wickets from 14 overs on his return to action against the Notts 2nd XI at Old Trafford. It was his first appearance since he sustained a shoulder injury in the win over Pakistan on June 3. Chris Woakes is set to appear for England Lions against India A in a four-day game starting in Worcester today. Surrey’s Rory Burns captains the side, which also includes Dawid Malan and Sam Curran, both released from the England squad to face India in the third one-day international at Headingley on Tuesday. Ben Stokes has been easing his way back from hamstring trouble. But it will be the prospect of a fully fit Broad (above) and Anderson that will most please the new selectorial team of Ed Smith and James Taylor. When England beat India 3-1 at home in 2014, Broad and Anderson between them picked up 45 wickets. With five Tests across six gruelling weeks, the fitness of both teams’ bowling attacks will be crucial. Meanwhile, Eoin Morgan wants more of the same from England’s one-day team, when facing Indian left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, as they go in search of victory in tomorrow’s third and deciding one-day international at Headingley. Kuldeep destroyed England with six for 25 at Trent Bridge last week, and managed three more wickets at Lord’s on Saturday. But Morgan’s team milked him for 68 en route to a comfortable 86-run win. ‘The more we faced him, the easier he got to pick,’ Morgan said.