BANGALORE – Stuart Broad returned to England training on Tuesday after several days in bed with a stomach bug and is in contention for the World Cup match against Ireland on Wednesday. “Stuart Broad took part in training and then bowled in the nets,” at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, an England spokesman told AFP. “But we will see how he pulls up in the morning,” he added.
Broad missed England’s thrilling tie with co-hosts India in Bangalore on Sunday, in which fellow fast bowler James Anderson conceded 91 runs in 9.5 overs — the most expensive return by an England player in a World Cup match. The son of former Test opener Chris Broad was ruled out of most of England’s triumphant Ashes campaign in Australia with a stomach injury.
He announced his absence from the India match on Twitter, saying: “Good luck lads, gutted I’m not there. Will be watching from the bed I’ve not left for 2 days…. Never felt worse.” But after the tie he told his ‘followers’: “What a game! Half way point – happy with tie, 10 overs to go – disappointed with tie, 3 overs to go delighted with tie. Overall v happy.”
Meanwhile, from bit-part player to Ashes winner and now the mainstay of England’s World Cup seam attack, Tim Bresnan has enjoyed an impressive few months in international cricket. But the one thing the Yorkshire all-rounder has never lacked is self-belief. It was on show again during England’s thrilling World Cup tie with India when Bresnan removed the dangerous Virender Sehwag and cleaned up the tail to finish with career-best figures of five for 48.
