Cricket: Broad determined to play against India

England Twenty20 captain aims to make return in October 29 game.

LONDON: England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad said he was determined to be fit enough to make his international return when the team plays in the format against India in Kolkata on October 29.

The 25-year-old fast-bowler missed the final One-Day International (ODI) against India and a two-match Twenty20 series against West Indies after he tore a shoulder muscle earlier this month. However, the Nottinghamshire county star said that having originally been pessimistic about making the match in India he was now aiming to play it.

“It’s [the shoulder] going to be okay,” said Broad, who was somewhat a surprise choice to replace Paul Collingwood as Twenty20 skipper last May.

“I’ve got it in mind that I want to play that Twenty20 game in India. It’s a tight target but you’ve got to have those targets to get you through mornings at the gym.

“The muscle’s torn so it takes time to heal. I’ve got another week’s rest then it’s rehabilitation in October. It’s an intense rehabilitation programme and I’m looking forward to getting under way.”

Broad, son of former England opener and now Test umpire Chris, had a successful summer as England overwhelmed India in the ODIs and the Test series to replace them as the number one side in cricket’s longest format.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th,  2011.