Broad trains but Test place still in doubt

Stuart Broad bowled yesterday for the first time since spraining his ankle but England are unlikely to make a decision on his fitness until the morning. The seam bowler injured his left ankle minutes before the first warm-up game on Thursday, forcing him to withdraw, and there are question marks over his participation in today’s second tour match.

Broad would be a certainty to play in the first Test in Galle on March 26 if fully fit but, should England choose not to risk him against the Sri Lankan Development XI, it would mean plunging him straight into Test duty with no match practice.

Broad looked tentative at the start of the tourists’ training session but was able to bowl in the nets. After a slow warm-up he was approaching full tilt by the end of his spell and went on to bat as well. He appeared in no obvious discomfort but will be assessed in the morning for any reaction.

Broad’s fitness doubts could give Steven Finn another chance to impress, while England may also choose to give Tim Bresnan a match as they contemplate whether or not they will need him as a fifth specialist bowler for the Test series. Samit Patel will be hoping to get the opportunity to push his claims after being overlooked for Ravi Bopara against the Board XI.

Flower is targeting another professional display at the Singhalese Sports Club ground after a ruthless innings victory in their first game. Sri Lanka will arrive back for the Test series having just contested the limited-overs Asia Cup in Bangladesh and Flower is hoping his side can take the edge in terms of preparations.

“I think it [the Asia Cup] is probably not Sri Lanka’s ideal preparation,” he said. “Our guys played superbly in the first three-day game. Now we have another and we would like to play to win that as well as getting the right time in the middle that our guys need.”