Stuart Broad hopeful of returning for the Lord's Test against South Africa

English fast bowler Stuart Broad is expecting to be fit before the first Test against South Africa commences. The right-handed bowler left the field mid-way during Nottinghamshire’s match against Leicestershire on Wednesday after just contributing one over on the field.

Broad, further has been ruled out of the match against Kent, which is scheduled to be played on Saturday as a precaution. The experienced English pacer has been out of the squad for a long time and was set to take the field when the Proteas concluded their T20 and ODI series against the hosts.

Trouble on his follow-up

“There are signs of a little bit of a tear on the pad of the heel but I have no pain when I walk or run,” Broad was quoted as saying by the Times newspaper.

The English pacer was further in clear trouble while slamming his front foot on his delivery stride.

“There is a little bit of pain when I slam my front foot down. I am looking to bowl on Wednesday and Thursday next week and if I can then get through ten overs in a one-day final next week then I suggest I will be fit for the first Test.” he said.

Earlier in the day, the pacer was ruled out after suffering a strain on his right leg while on his delivery stride during the encounter against Leicestershire.

“I think he was really looking forward to playing in the Kent game,” Moores said. “He knows it’s a big game for us in the season and he’s been very much a part of the team for much of the last three months.

“Stuart has been around the block enough to know that’s the way it is. He’s got some pain and he’s got a lot of cricket coming up so it needs sorting out. It’s already started to settle and we’ll have to see how it goes over the next four or five days.” concluded the coach on the right-hand pacer’s involvement in the final encounter of the season.