Onions cries off as Broad faces late test
ENGLAND seamer Stuart Broad appears to be winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow’s first Test with Bangladesh.
The 23-year-old suffered a back injury during the one-day international series, forcing him to miss this week’s warm-up match with a Bangladesh A side.
But the Nottinghamshire pace man bowled 10 overs during a net session yesterday without feeling any discomfort, and will now undergo a late fitness test.
Selectors will be keeping their fingers crossed for Broad as England are already without fellow seamer Graham Onions, who sits out with a back injury of his own.
The Durham man suffered the problem during nets after joining up with the squad earlier this week.
If Broad is also ruled out then England could offer a first cap to 6ft 7in Middlesex youngster Steven Finn, who impressed during the three-day warm-up.
The 20-year-old fired down some hostile, economical bowling in Chittagong and looks to have leapfrogged Ajmal Shahzad and Liam Plunkett to partner Tim Bresnan in an unfamiliar seam attack, which is already missing James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom.
“I wouldn’t rule Finn out,” coach Andy Flower admitted. “He’s been added to the party and he’s a contender for selection.
“He’s bowled with pace on a slow pitch and bowled with accuracy; he’s quite a good prospect.”
Kent off-spinner James Tredwell is expected to be handed a Test debut after his eight wickets in the warm-up match this week, forming a spin partnership with Graeme Swann.