SICK & WIRED

Broad now fit but was ill with worry at thought of missing ‘crunch time’

ENGLAND spearhead Stuart Broad was “sick with nerves” over fears he might miss the biggest three weeks of his summer. But he has declared himself fit to play for Nottinghamshire against Surrey in today’s Royal London Cup final and for the start of the Test series with South Africa after resting a heel injury. “I wanted to bowl five or six overs as a fitness test and I’ve managed to do that,” said the Broad, 31. “I bowled off a full run-up and the England guys have said it’s up to me, I’ve played enough cricket to know if I’m fit or not. “You go into a Lord’s final ready to bowl 10 overs and if you get through that comfortably then you’re ready for a Test match, in my opinion. “I felt sick with nerves for three or four days because I’ve worked really hard for three months and played a lot of cricket pretty much for the biggest three weeks of the year. “A Lord’s final for your county you’ve played every game for, a Lord’s Test and your home Test. The first step is a tick for the final. “A lot of work has gone into getting me ready. It was a onecentimetre tear in the fat pad and usually you heal a centimetre a week so it was touch and go, but the physios have been awesome.” Broad also had England bowling coach Ottis Gibson (right) to stay at his house to help him with his technique to ease the pressure on the injury. A match-winning performance at HQ in a game containing so many high-quality players on both sides would also do Broad’s chances of breaking back into England’s white-ball team the world of good. He is desperate to play a part in the 2019 World Cup, and admitted he hoped for a recall when Chris Woakes suffered a side strain against Bangladesh. “When I was starting out and coming through school, I think Frank Hayes said to me the best way to get into the England team is to win trophies,” added Broad. “If you play in successful teams you put yourself out there. I’ve been fortunate to play in all the Royal London Cup games so far and some have been really intense. “The more I play the more I’m learning and the better plans I’m getting. There is a reason we’ve got to a final – we’ve played good cricket with a strong bowling unit and a great batting line-up. “You play white-ball cricket to win trophies and to play for England don’t you? And I still have that ambition. “I thought I was close in the Champions Trophy when Woakesy did his side. I was staring at my phone, but it didn’t ring. Maybe in two years’ time at the World Cup. .”

LORD’S PLAYER Stuart Broad is jumping at the chance to prove his worth before the Test series starts