Broad doubtful for 4th Test
Mumbai, Dec. 3: England coach Trevor Bayliss has revealed Stuart Broad is a serious doubt for next week’s fourth Test against India, according to a report on express.co.uk. Broad missed the third-Test defeat in Mohali with the tendon injury to his right foot he sustained in the second match of the series in Vizag.
The fast bowler, 30, has been wearing a protective boot to aid his recovery since, but Bayliss admits he is not sure if he will recover in time for the start of the Mumbai Test on Thursday.
Broad’s absence would be a huge blow to England’s chances of clawing their way into a series they trail 2-0 with two Tests go.
That’s why he is continuing his rehabilitation now with the England Lions in Dubai while the rest of the squad are enjoying the weekend off after a period that has included back-to-back tours of Bangladesh and India.
Asked if Broad was likely to be fit for the fourth Test, Bayliss admitted: “I’m not 100 per cent confident. He’s out of the moon-boot now, but we won’t really know until he gets back for those practice days before the Test. We’ll leave him as late as possible.”
The majority of England’s squad are now in Dubai, meeting up with family before returning to Mumbai on Monday.
Bayliss admitted it was an opportunity for his players, some of whom have been away from home since late September, to switch off from cricket.
“We’ve been on the sub-continent for a long time. It can be difficult at times, even away from the game - the different types of food even, everything that goes along with it,” said the Australian.
“This is an opportunity to get away for three or four days, refresh and — we hope — come back raring to go.”
One man who has chosen to stay in India with the team management is Ben Stokes. The Durham all-rounder was reprimanded by the ICC for a verbal altercation with India captain Virat Kohli during the Mohali Test.