Cook optimistic over Broad

Stuart Broad goes through his paces in England's practice today, after bowling the equivalent of 10 overs in yesterday's

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England captain Alastair Cook saw one of his first-choice seamers ruled out of the Bangladesh series today but is hopeful Stuart Broad is fit to lead the attack in tomorrow’s first Test.

With James Anderson rested from this trip, England had pencilled in Broad and Graham Onions as a reliable new-ball pairing in spin-friendly conditions.

Those plans were rocked last week when both men were laid low by back injuries.

While Broad has recovered quickly and has been bowling full practice spells for the last two days, Onions is set to return home.

No replacement is required as 20-year-old Middlesex quick Steven Finn had already linked up with the squad as cover, while the fast bowling ranks are also swelled by the likes of Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad and Liam Plunkett.

Of those, Yorkshire’s Bresnan is in pole position to get the nod tomorrow, though Finn pressed his case for a whirlwind debut with an eye-catching display against Bangladesh A.

Nevertheless, Cook is sad to see Onions depart.

“I’m desperately disappointed for him,” said Cook ahead of becoming his country’s 79th Test captain.

“He was a huge part of our plans and he still is, obviously, because of the way he bowled in South Africa. He was unlucky not to take more wickets than he did there because he bowled really well.

Alastair Cook, right, said “I’m desperately disappointed" for Graham Onions, who is to return to England due to a back injury

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“I was expecting him come to these conditions and bowl really well too. But these things happen and luckily we’ve got the strength in depth in our seam-bowling unit to be able to cope.”

Cook does not expect Onions’ injury to be a serious one after an initial medical assessment showed no major concerns.

Instead, the decision to send the 27-year-old home is a pragmatic one.

“The MRI scan didn’t show too much structural damage so it does look like a short-term thing, but these matches come so quickly and he hasn’t had any proper bowling on this tour,” Cook added.

“We couldn’t see how he could physically be ready. Even if he was fit he wouldn’t be match-fit to play in the second Test match, so there’s obviously no point in him being here.”

The news on Broad is considerably better.

England’s team policy is not to name their side before the toss but, after sending down the equivalent of 10 overs in yesterday’s net session and returning for another vigorous workout today, the 23-year-old appears in good enough shape at present.

Assessing his lead seamer’s chances, Cook said: “It was all very positive from yesterday. He bowled really well in the nets, 10 or 12 in two spells, which is a very encouraging sign.

“Today is the second part of that process of a fitness test so we will see how he is in the morning, as well as how he bowls, and obviously if he comes through that it’s excellent news for us.”

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