England vice-captain Stuart Broad missed training in Mumbai on Thursday and is a doubt for Friday’s second Test with India. Broad injured his heel in a warm-up match but played in the first Test, which England lost by nine wickets. The 26-year-old’s absence on Thursday is not thought to be related to that injury, an England spokesman describing him as being “under the weather”. Fellow pace bowler Steven Finn has been ruled out with a thigh strain. All three England seam bowlers struggled on the flat surface in the Ahmedabad Test, Broad failing to take a wicket as India posted 521-8 declared in the first innings. Many observers felt Monty Panesar should have been selected as a second frontline spinner, as India’s slow left-arm bowler Pragyan Ojha was the most successful bowler in the match with nine wickets. Broad being sidelined would present an opportunity for Panesar, who made his debut in India six years ago and has taken 142 wickets in 42 Tests. The 30-year-old Sussex bowler has not played for England since the Galle Test in March. Surrey’s Stuart Meaker, who was called into the squad as cover and took four wickets in the final warm-up match against Haryana, plus Durham’s Graham Onions, are other seam bowling options should the selectors persist with three quicker bowlers. England also need to find a replacement for batsman Ian Bell, who will miss the match as he has returned home to spend time with his new baby son.
