FIRST TEST It shouldn’t happen to a vet

ENGLAND’S DYNAMIC DUO The ‘Old guys’ will be monitored

STUART BROAD

118 215 JIMMY ANDERSON 138 257 417 540 28.89 27.23 2.96 2.90 58.38 56.29 16 25 9 8 1 5 STUART BROAD will not throw his toys out of the pram if he is forced to sit out a Test in the upcoming series against India.

England kick off a schedule of five Tests in six weeks at Edgbaston on Wednesday and that will take a lot out of the big fast bowlers. Broad, 32, and opening partner Jimmy Anderson, 36, have hit veteran status.

The pair have racked up 256 Tests and 957 Test wickets between them and the next few weeks will be another test – of their legs.

But Broad, a virtual fixture since 2007, says he will take it on the chin if he is told to put his feet up for one of the games. He said: “We will have to play that by ear, it will depend on tosses, pitches and workloads.

“If we have two Tests of 250 overs in the field each, it’s unrealistic to think your seam bowlers will play five Tests in six weeks, but if you have a Test where you bowl them out in 80 or 60 overs that changes your thinking.

“There have already been small conversations saying don’t be disheartened if you are left out for a Test match, it’s not a personal attack or dropping – it’s a management of your bowlers.

“I won’t get to the stage where I am left out at, say Lord’s, I’d go back and play county cricket. You stay around, keeping talking and stay part of the unit. It’s only natural to expect small changes throughout five Test matches, but the bowlers have to be able to take it.”

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TOUGH SCHEDULE Broad and Anderson are unlikely to play in all five Tests against India this summer