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Stuart Broad returned to a cricket field today for the first time since breaking his nose at Old Trafford.
Wearing a protective splint on his nose, Broad had a long session in the nets before bowling off virtually a full run-up. All the signs were that the 28-year-old would be able to take his place in the team for the Fifth Investec Test here, from which England need only a draw to clinch the series.
Memorable Test matches between England and India
Broad sustained the injury when a short-pitched delivery from India fast bowler Varun Aaron sneaked through the gap between the visor and the grille of his helmet and smashed into his nose.
He will almost certainly have knee surgery after this game and miss the one-day series but the initial fears were that Broad’s facial wound would keep him out of this Test, too. Happily for captain Alastair Cook, those fears have now been allayed.
Interestingly, Broad used another design of helmet for the practice, taking the more traditional headgear, complete with peak, rather than the cycling-style Ayrtek helmet he was wearing at Old Trafford.
