Broad brushes off blow from a stray golf ball

England seamer Stuart Broad is “fine” after taking an unexpected blow from a golf ball, writes David Clough.

Broad is no stranger to finding himself in the firing line in Brisbane, where the home crowd and press delivered a barrage of verbal bouncers in his direction on his last Ashes trip. Broad became public enemy No 1 in 2013- 14 when most of Australia remained irked by his decision four months earlier not to walk in the Trent Bridge Test after edging a ball – via the keeper’s gloves – to slip.

In response, Brisbane newspaper the Courier Mail refused to name him–referring instead to“the 27- yearold medium-p acer ”, and printing only washed-out and face less silhouettes of him.

Broad has spoken sever al times in the lead-up to this Ashes campaign, which begin sat the Gabba on Thursday, of his curiosity to see what is in store for him here this time. There has been nothing of note, however, since England’s arrival on Sunday until – in the expected sanctuary of Brisbane Golf Club – he was hit by a stray ball on the lower back while he was bending down to size up a practice putt.

An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said :“Stuart was practising on t he putting green when he was hit by a stray golf ball from a member.

“He is fine, and no dramas.”