Stuart Broad hopeful to be fit for the Test series against South Africa

England cricketer Stuart Broad is hopeful that he will be fit as a fiddle for England’s first Test this summer which is scheduled to be played against South Africa at Lords the coming week. Broad had suffered from a heel issue last week while playing his county match for Nottinghamshire.

England’s Test squad will be announced on Saturday, and since Notts has passed him fit, he is certain to be included in the squad. England’s pace department has seen a number of injuries lately and Broad’s fitness will come as a relief to them.

Broad had to leave the field after bowling one over in Nottinghamshire’s win over Leicestershire. He suffered pain in his left heel and was in pain. However, the fitness test has now passed him fit for resuming cricket and the 31-year-old has said that injuries are a part and parcel of the game and he wouldn’t have declared himself fit for the upcoming games if he didn’t feel fit.

“I wouldn’t declare myself fit for a Lord’s final if I was not right,” Broad said. “At the end of the day, you can walk on to any field, bowl your first ball and go down – that’s cricket. But having bowled 100% in the nets, it feels good. I just have to keep managing it well, as you have to with your body when you get to 31. But yeah, I’m fit for tomorrow, which in my opinion, if I bowl okay, it means I’m fit for the Test.” ESPN Cricinfo quoted him as saying.

England troubled by many players’ injuries 

Others in the England team who have been bogged down by injuries are Jake Ball, who suffered a knee strain a few days ago. Chris Woakes, who is yet to recover from the side injury he picked up from the Champions Trophy. Ben Stokes, who was troubled by knee pain last month against South Africa. James Anderson, who has barely managed to recover from a groin tear and Mark Wood was recently operated on his ankle.