|
Stuart Broad has emerged as an injury doubt ahead of the Test series against South Africa. Broad bowled just one over before leaving the pitch as his Nottinghamshire side defeated Leicestershire by an innings after complaining of pain in his left heel. An England spokesman subsequently confirmed he would have a scan in the next 24 hours to ascertain the extent of the problem. The news is likely to cause concern in the England camp ahead of the Test series, starting at Lord's on July 6. England are already likely to be without Chris Woakes, who is recovering from a side strain, while Ben Stokes played in the Champions Trophy with a sore knee and James Anderson has just recovered from a thigh injury. Broad will also be keen to play in the Royal London Cup final at Lord's on July 1, while England would have wanted him to gain some pink-ball experience in the round of day-night Championship matches that is scheduled for next week. It may well be that he is rested from one or other game as a precaution even if the scan shows nothing more than bruising. Broad has managed his heel problem for some time. While specially made boots have alleviated difficulties, it is likely that he rarely bowls pain free these days. While Peter Moores, the Nottinghamshire coach, stressed that Broad left the field purely as a precaution and would not have done if the context of the match had been different - Notts were cruising to victory - the fact that he is undergoing a scan and the proximity to the Test series suggest the issue may be a little more serious than suggested. "Stuart had a bit of pain in his heel," Moores said. "He's had it for a while. If the situation had been different he could have pushed on through it but there was no need to so he came off and we'll monitor it and look after him."
|
