Fast bowler Stuart Broad has been sent for scan on his left heel and is a doubt for England's two T20 matches against India.
Broad suffered a recurrence
of the heel injury that threatened his involvement in the first Test of
the series during training at the VCA Stadium on Tuesday, ahead of the
fourth and final Test of the series that starts on Thursday.
While Broad is unlikely to win a recall to the side for that game, he
remains a key player in England's T20 side. His absence would also
necessitate England naming a new captain for the two games. Eoin Morgan
would appear to be the likely replacement.
It may be an inexperienced looking England squad assembled for the T20
games. Not only have experienced players such as Graeme Swann and Kevin
Pietersen been rested, but senior coaches Andy Flower, Graham Gooch and
the team manager Phil Neale are also going home immediately after the
Test. Richard Halsall, the assistant coach, will take charge.
The training session also afforded England their first look at the
Nagpur pitch. While it has not been used recently, unlike the tracks
used in Mumbai and Kolkata, it looks white and dry. The curator has been
asked by the BCCI not to talk to the media, but those close to him
suggest the groundstaff stopped watering the pitch a couple of days ago
and expect it to start assisting spinners on the second day. The
outfield, however, is lush and green which may not aid the seamers on
either side as they search for reverse swing.
There have only been three Tests at this ground and none of them have
ended in a draw. On all three occasions, the side winning the toss has
batted first - as they surely will again - and on two of those occasions
they have gone on to win the game.
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