Gutted to be ruled out of India series, Stuart Broad to focus on Ashes

London, August 12

After being ruled out of the ongoing home Test series against India due to a calf injury, a “gutted” Stuart Broad said he would take his time to recuperate and prepare for the Ashes, scheduled to begin in December.

The England seamer sustained a tear to his right calf during a warm-up on Tuesday. He underwent an MRI scan in London on Wednesday lunchtime, which revealed a tear.

“Things can change so quickly. A moment before training all smiles then during the warm up, I jumped a hurdle, landed a bit awkwardly on my right ankle then the next step felt like I’d been whipped by a rope as hard as you can imagine on the back of my leg,” Broad wrote on his Instagram account.

“I actually turned to @jimmya9 (James Anderson) & asked why he whipped me! but when I realised he was no where near me I knew I was in trouble.

“Scans say grade 3 calf. All so innocuous. Season over & gutted to miss this India Test Series but a huge focus on Australia now. Going to take my time, no rush, baby steps & be the fittest I can be heading out there. Big focus in my brain,” he added.     

The 35-year-old had picked one wicket in the rain-curtailed first Test that ended in a draw last week.

Broad was on the verge of playing his milestone 150th Test.

England take on India in the second Test at Lord’s from Thursday. PTI