India vs England: Stuart Broad Ruled out of 2nd Test; James Anderson Doubtful

After the poor performance in the first Test against India, which ended in a draw, the England cricket team would be hoping to put up a better performance when they take the field for the second game of the series against the Virat Kohli-led side at Lord’s cricket ground. The visitors dominated the hosts in the contest and were even cruising to victory but rain played the spoilsport and as a result the first game of the series ended in a draw.

Stuart Broad was ruled out while James Anderson was doubtful for the second Test against India at Lord’s 

Just less than 24 hours remaining for the start of the second Test match between England and India, the home side have suffered a major blow as pacer Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the Lord’s Test.

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The right-arm pacer tweaked his right calf on Tuesday during a warm-up session and went for the scans and in the latest development, it is learned that Stuart Broad will miss the second game of the five-Test series in what would have been his 150th Test.

On the other hand, his long-time bowling partner James Anderson is reportedly doubtful to play in the Lord’s Test, starting tomorrow (12th August). According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the veteran pacer is suffering from a tight quad and also missed out on his team’s training session at Lord’s on Wednesday morning.

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India vs England: ECB calls Saqib Mahmood as a cover for Anderson and Broad for the second Test 

With both James Anderson and Stuart Broad. likely to miss the second Test against India, England has called Saqib Mahmood as a cover for the duo and the right-arm pacer could be in line to make his Test debut for the Joe Root-led side. The 24-year-old made an impressive ODI debut against Pakistan and was one of the main reasons behind a second-string England side thumping Pakistan 3-0.

In a total of 7 ODIs, Saqib Mahmood has picked up 14 wickets. In first-class cricket, the Lancashire pacer has 65 wickets including a five-wicket haul to his name so far at 26.30. He along with Mark Wood can replace the senior pacers for the second Test against India.

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