Sidebottom ruled out, Broad to undergo fitness test

Rajkot:

England run the risk of going into the first One-dayer against India with a severely depleted bowling unit after Ryan Sidebottom was ruled out because of an Achilles injury and a knee injury rendered fellow pacer Stuart Broad doubtful for the Friday tie.

Sidebottom has been struggling with the right Achilles injury that has kept him out of action since the first tie of the Stanford Super Series.

To add to the woes of the England camp, Broad picked up a knee injury while fielding during the second warm-up match in Mumbai and the lanky pacer is yet to recover.

Broad's chance of playing the first match of the series would hinge on the outcome of Thursday's fitness test, said coach Peter Moores.

"Broad picked up the injury while trying to stop a boundary in Mumbai. It swelled a lot and though he has got injections, it's only after he bowls tomorrow that we can declare him fit for the match," Moores said.

In case Broad joins Sidebottom in the sidelines, England might go for a two-pronged spin attack with Graeme Swann and Samit Patel making to the playing XI.

In such a case, Steve Harmison, James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff will have to shoulder the responsibility in the pace department for the Kevin Pietersen-led side.