• England in India 2012-13

Broad and Finn to miss Haryana clash

Stuart Broad was restricted to fielding duties after bruising his heel against Mumbai A © AFP

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England vice-captain Stuart Broad and fellow strike bowler Steven Finn are expected to be rested for the side's final warm-up match ahead of the first Test in India.

Both bowlers have picked up minor knocks since arriving in India, though Broad at least is expected to line up against India when the Test series begins in Ahmedabad on November 15.

But neither is likely to be selected to face Haryana in the four-day match at the Sardar Patel Stadium's B Ground, adjacent to the first Test venue.

England batting coach Graham Gooch admitted he was not "100% sure" about the selection ahead of Wednesday's team meeting.

But asked about Finn and Broad, he added: "I think it's unlikely that they will be considered for this game. They've both got injuries, and I don't think they're going to be ready for this game."

Finn managed only four overs before going off with a thigh strain in England's first tour match against India A, while Broad bowled 10 overs against Mumbai A before being relegated to fielding duties the day after being sent for a scan having bruised left heel.

And with James Anderson also due a rest after featuring in both matches, Graham Onions, Tim Bresnan and Stuart Meaker - called up as cover for Finn - could get a last chance to stake a claim for a spot in the Test side.

"With a bruised heel, it is something that can be very annoying and can take time to clear up," Gooch added.

"You've got to see how it goes each day, whether it gets better with the rest - keep checking it and see how it comes on. There's no other way of going about it really."

The battle for the opening batsman's role role alongside captain Alastair Cook looks to have been won by Nick Compton. The Somerset batsman hit an unbeaten half-century against Mumbai A to edge ahead of Joe Root as England look to fill the void left by the retirement of former captain Andrew Strauss.

"He's had a couple of chances already, and Joe Root also played in the last match," Gooch said. "I think they're two very good players, obviously at different levels of their career.

"One has been in the first-class game for quite a while, and gained experience and found his mark, found the way he can score runs and been very successful over the last couple of years for Somerset.

"The other lad is obviously a young, exciting player. He has a good technique from what I've seen - this is the first time I've seen him close up - and he bowls a bit. So it's going to be quite a difficult selection."

Competition for places in the batting order is set to rage on with Ian Bell expected to miss the second Test in Mumbai to attend the birth of his first child back in England.

"Then you've got Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Samit Patel all bidding for places," said Gooch.

"I like competition for places; you want that, people to be putting their hand up and saying 'I want that place in the side'."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.