Chennai Test: Stuart Broad’s return ‘excites’ captain Root

Jofra Archer may have been ruled out of the second Test against India in Chennai but England captain Joe Root believes a “fit and firing” Stuart Broad is “ready to go,” AFP reported.

Archer had an injection in his elbow after experiencing discomfort during the tourists’ 227-run win in the first Test at the same venue.

The 25-year-old, who did not take part in training on Thursday, previously had elbow problems during last winter’s tour of South Africa, though medical staff believe the issues are unrelated and expect the fast bowler to be fit for the third Test of the four-match series in Ahmedabad.

Veteran seamer Broad, who has 517 Test wickets to his credit, was in line to come in for record wicket-taker James Anderson regardless, having played one Test in Sri Lanka before making way for his longstanding new-all colleague, AFP reported.

But England could now opt to play both Broad and Anderson rather than continue to rotate the duo, although they do have alternative pace options in Olly Stone and Chris Woakes.

“It’s great he is fit, firing and ready to go ahead of the last three games” said Root of Broad.