Broad’s World Cup dreams over through injury

Stuart Broad

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, (Reuters) – Fast bowler  Stuart Broad was ruled out of the World Cup today with a  side strain, his exit delivering a second body blow in as many  days to England’s hopes.
“He’s ruled out of the World Cup and he’s flying home  tomorrow,” an England spokesman told Reuters.
On Monday, batsman Kevin Pietersen said he was heading back  home as he needed immediate attention on a hernia.
However, while Pietersen had struggled to make an impact in  the sub-continent, England’s hopes of winning their first  50-over trophy had relied a lot on Broad’s form.
Broad was largely responsible for England’s dramatic  six-run win over South Africa on Sunday as he claimed the last  two wickets in four balls to seal the win. He finished with  4-15.

Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad

The 24-year-old generated swing and much-needed aggression  to torment the South African batsmen and made sure England’s  meagre total of 171 could not be equalled.
His injury could not have come at a worse time for England  as he has been their main strike bowler throughout, taking six  wickets in three matches. He missed the game against India with  an upset stomach.
“Stuart felt some discomfort following the South Africa  match and our initial assessment indicated a strain to his left  side,” England and Wales Cricket Board chief medical officer   Nick Peirce said in a statement.
“Subsequent scans have confirmed a significant side strain  injury — where the muscle attaches the rib — that will rule  him out of the remainder of the World Cup.
“This …  requires a period of recuperation and  rehabilitation and the duration of this recovery period will be  determined following further assessment in the UK.”
England have yet to apply for a replacement but pace bowler  Chris Tremlett appeared to be the front runner to take Broad’s  place as he has been travelling with the players despite not  being a member of the 15-man squad.

BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED
A forlorn Broad, who missed the last three Ashes tests with  an abdominal muscle tear, almost seemed resigned to his fate  when he had spoken to reporters earlier today to explain  his injury.
“I think I have got a little side niggle, I’m not sure how  serious it is at the moment,” Broad told a news conference.
“I have never had a side strain in this manner before so I  don’t really know the symptoms.
“It’s a bit sore … but that might be just after a vigorous  couple of games in a few days. It’s quite a common injury for  bowlers.
“If it is an actual side strain or tear, it is something you  have to be very careful of and make sure you take your time to  get fit and not rush back.
“But obviously, I’ll be bitterly disappointed if it is the  end of my World Cup.”
It was a feeling Pietersen knew only too well as he returned  to Britain to undergo hernia surgery. He was replaced by Eoin  Morgan, who arrived in Chittagong today.
Morgan, a dangerous middle-order batsman, had been withdrawn  from the squad with a broken finger but Pietersen’s exit earned  him a recall.
“He’s (Morgan’s) been our best one-day batsman for the past  year, he’s won us games single-handedly. I know the whole squad  are excited about his arrival,” Broad said earlier on Tuesday.
“We know what a skilful player he is and what he can add to  this team, so it’s a big boost to have him in the side because  we know he can win games and plays spin particularly well.”
England lie second in Group B with five points and with two  games remaining. The top four teams from each group progress to  the quarter-finals.
Their next match is against co-hosts Bangladesh on Friday in  Chittagong.