England v India, 1st Test, Lord's

Broad in line for Test debut

Cricinfo staff

July 15, 2007

Broad could be swapping his England pyjamas for whites this Thursday © Getty Images

England have also retained the side which beat West Indies 3-0 in the recent series, with Matthew Hoggard playing his fourth Test series against India. Andrew Flintoff is still out with an ankle injury, but has hopes of making the one-day series.

David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said of Harmison: "At this stage his chances of playing are slim and the choice for the final pace bowling position will be between James Anderson and Stuart Broad. 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 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.''

If and when England lose Harmison that will be a blow, as he has been in good form for Durham recently and in the last two Tests against West Indies, where he took 10 wickets in all.

Broad, 21, was denied a Test debut in May, through injury. But he already has international experience, having played nine one-dayers for England, including their three against West Indies in June, where he took five wickets. He also has three Twenty20s under his belt, again playing two of those against West Indies. His county season with Leicestershire has been solid, with ten wickets in three matches.

The first Test begins at Lord's on Thursday.

England Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Ryan Sidebottom, Stephen Harmison, Monty Panesar, Matthew Hoggard, James Anderson, Stuart Broad.

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England sweat on Harmison

Players/Umpires

James Anderson

Stuart Broad

Andrew Flintoff

Steve Harmison

Matthew Hoggard

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India tour of Ireland, England and Scotland

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England

India