Root says Broad still firmly in the frame

ENGLAND have left Stuart Broad out of their final warm-up in Sri Lanka but captain Joe Root is still ready to lean on the veteran seamer’s experience in the first Test at Galle.

The tourists begin a fourday first-class match against a President’s XI in Colombo today and their selection represents a firm nod towards their preferred team for the two-match series.

Broad was the only surprise absentee but Root offered a strong indication that the 33-year-old was merely being held in reserve while Chris Woakes and

Sam Curran battled for one place in the series opener.

With James Anderson, the only man ahead of Broad on England’s all-time wickettaker list, left at home after recent injury problems, it seems highly unlikely his long-term partner will also be overlooked.

“You look at someone like Stuart and he’s bowled a lot this winter so [it’s about] managing his workload. He knows what he’s got to do to get ready for the game,” said Root. “All options are still on the table but you look at his experience, the amount of left-handers they’ve got in their team, his knowledge of these conditions – that could be very valuable.”

BOXING: British heavyweight Dereck Chisora will take on former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk at London’s O2 Arena on May 23.

Usyk reigned supreme at the 200lbs limit, unifying all four of the major world titles in the World Boxing Super Series before successfully defending his belts against Tony Bellew in Manchester in November 2018.

Since stepping up to heavyweight, his only fight was a comfortable victory over American contender Chazz Witherspoon in October last year, and he is set to have his first acid test in the blue riband division.

Chisora, 36, may have lost nine of his 41 professional bouts but is enjoying a late career resurgence, winning his last three fights.