• India in England 2014

Broad set to play in face mask at The Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff
August 10, 2014
Stuart Broad was forced to retire hurt with a fractured nose at Old Trafford © PA Photos
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England have named an unchanged squad for the fifth Test at The Oval, starting on Friday, with Stuart Broad included despite suffering a fractured nose while batting at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Broad tweeted a picture of his injury, which required stitches and a trip to hospital, on Sunday morning, and is expected to wear a protective mask for the fifth Test

Liam Plunkett was not deemed fit enough to return to the 13-man squad, meaning that Steven Finn keeps his place and could make a return to the Test side if Broad isn't risked. Plunkett, who played the first four Tests of the summer, was rested for England's win at the Ageas Bowl and was then ruled out with an ankle injury.

Broad was struck by a Varun Aaron bouncer that squeezed between the grille and peak of his helmet. He retired hurt, and bloodied, taking no part in India's second innings as the tourists were dismissed in 43 overs to give England an innings victory and a 2-1 lead in the series.

Speaking after the close, England captain Alastair Cook was hopeful that Broad would recover in time for the Oval Test. Broad is expected to have knee surgery at the send of the series, due to tendonitis, but Peter Moores, England's head coach, said Broad would play as long as the medical staff passed him fit, rather than take the opportunity to end his season early. "We'll see what the specialist says. If it's okay and he's fully fit, we'll definitely play him," Moores said.

Providing Broad did not suffer concussion, which has recently become an issue of concern in several contact sports, he could be free to play with the added protection of a plastic face mask, as worn by a number of footballers.

England did not suffer in his absence, despite James Anderson also suffering from illness, as Moeen Ali picked up four more wickets to take his series tally to 19. Although Chris Woakes started the collapse by removing M Vijay and Chris Jordan took two in two balls to finish the innings, England's back-up seamers only managed one other wicket between them over the two Test victories in Southampton and Manchester.

Woakes has two wickets at 129.50 from his three Tests - though he has bowled better than those numbers suggest against India - and Jordan has looked out of rhythm since coming back into the side. Ben Stokes, who played at Trent Bridge and Lord's but was dropped after making three successive ducks, remains an option, though he has only played 50-over cricket since then; Finn is continuing his rehabilitation after returning home from the Ashes tour but was expensive in a one-day appearance for the Lions on Friday.

Plunkett will not be considered as he continues to manage an ankle problem. He bowled with Yorkshire on Saturday but there was still some swelling and the county will examine his progress in Scarborough, where they play two Royal London Cup fixtures next week.

England squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Chris Jordan, Sam Robson, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

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