English pacer Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the India series due to injury. Bored is suffering from torn calf muscle and will look to make comeback in the side ahead of Ashes. Saqib Mahmood has been added to the squad as a replacement for Broad.
Stuart Broad ruled out of India Series
As per Broad, he landed awkwardly after jumping a hurdle during one of the practice sessions and is suffering from a Grade 3 tear. Broad, England’s highest-taker in the inaugural World Test Championship, also said that he was gutted to miss the India Test series.
“Things can change so quickly. A moment before training all smiles, then during the warm up, I jumped a hurdle, landed a bit awkwardly on my right ankle then the next step felt like I’d been whipped by a rope as hard as you can imagine on the back of my leg. I actually turned to @jimmya9 and asked why he whipped me! but when I realised he was no where near me, I knew I was in trouble. Scans say Grade 3 calf. All so innocuous,” Broad wrote on Instagram
“Season over & gutted to miss this India Test Series but a huge focus on Australia now. Going to take my time, no rush, baby steps & be the fittest I can be heading out there. Big focus in my brain. Good luck to the @englandcricket boys this week. I’ll be watching every ball from my sofa hoping to see runs & wickets in the glorious Lord’s sunshine!”
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The right-am pacer managed one wicket in the opening Test in Nottingham. Mark Wood, who is known for his express pace, is likely to replace Broad in the playing XI.
Saqib Mahmood May included in squad
Not just Broad, England are also sweating over the availability of James Anderson as he didn’t take part in the practice session a day before the game. The home team has called up pacer Saqib Mahmood as a cover and he will likely make his Test debut if Anderson sits out.
He claimed nine wickets at 13.66 in England’s 3-0 series win in the ODIs against Pakistan in July, after being called up as part of an emergency squad following a Covid outbreak in England’s original party, and retained his place for the subsequent T20I series, where he picked up a further four wickets at 28.00.
He has since been one of the star bowlers in the first season of the Hundred, with five wickets at 22.40 for Oval Invincibles, though now looks set to miss their final two group games as they push for a playoff berth.
England have also announced that their off-spinner Dom Bess will return to Yorkshire to compete in the Royal London Cup 2021, after being released from the Test squad following Moeen’s inclusion.
India are also set to have at least one change in the playing XI as Shardul Thakur has been ruled out of the Lord’s Test. R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma are in contention to replace the pacer. The 2nd Test of the series will be played at Lord’s from August 12 to 16.
