Broad gets a nod to play in Lord's ..

Uncapped Leicestershire paceman Stuart Broad has been named in England's 13-man squad for the first Test against India which gets underway at Lord's on Thursday.

Broad has been selected along with James Anderson and would appear to be the man to benefit from the current uncertainty over Steve Harnmison's fitness. The Durham quickie has been given the nod for the first Test, but remains "extremely doubtful" to feature given a hernia complaint.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney admitted Harmison was unlikely to be recover in time and explained that Broad and Anderson would be competing to replace him.
"At this stage his (Harmison's) chances of playing are slim and the choice for the final pace bowling position will be between James Anderson and Stuart Broad," Graveney stated.
"They are different types of bowlers and the final decision will depend on our assessment of the pitch and the weather conditions at Lord's.

"It will be very disappointing if we are without Stephen as he has been in excellent form for Durham recently and looked to be back to his best in the last Test against West Indies at Chester-le-Street.

"It may mean that we have to go into this series with a relatively inexperienced attack, but I am sure all of the bowlers concerned will relish the opportunity to test themselves against a side which has one of the strongest batting line-ups in world cricket."

The squad shows no other changes from the side which completed a 3-0 series win over the West Indies, with Andrew Strauss retaining his place despite concerns over his form.

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