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Broad injury scare rattles England

England fast bowler takes tumble but recovers as warm-up match turns into intra-squad play

Stuart Broad survived an injury scare in England’s second warm-up against a St Kitts and Nevis XI in the Caribbean as the visitors resorted to playing each other for extra match practice.

In an unusual move, England squad members Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance lined up for the hosts in order to gain valuable time in the middle ahead of Monday’s first Test.

It came after a lopsided first warm-up match between the teams, which saw England bowl the home side out for 59 and reduce them to 7-76 in the second innings after scoring 6-379 themselves.

As a result, the teams agreed England would bowl for 90 overs on the first day of the second warm-up, regardless of how many wickets they took, and bat for 90 overs on the second day.

Image Id: ~/media/040F4418F48B49039A68D003DFD26DFCStuart Broad bowls to Jonny Bairstow // Getty Images

The mismatch between the teams in the first encounter also prompted a mixture of bemusement and outrage from the UK press, with veteran Telegraph journalist Scyld Berry particularly scathing.

"England had waited a long time for this moment. After months, even years, of waiting and travelling around the globe, they eventually discovered a team that was much worse," Berry wrote.

The Daily Mail’s Paul Newman wrote: "Warm-up games can be low-key affairs but there cannot have been many times when an international side have been pitched against a team as bad as this."

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A scare was sent through the England camp early on Wednesday when Broad lost his footing in his first over and hit the deck clutching his left ankle.

He subsequently left the field but was given the all clear and returned to bowl later in the day.

Image Id: ~/media/C02FE75D736A4FBE92D8BF86B1CCDE9EStuart Broad is treated by medical staff // Getty Images

Bairstow (97) was the stand-out in an innings that saw the combined England and St Kitts XI reach 9-303 at the close of play, while Trott could not replicate his 72 from the first practice match, departing for a third-ball duck courtesy of a James Anderson outswinger.

Balance was left short of match practice when he edged behind off James Tredwell for 17 after scoring 16 in the first warm-up, while Root compiled his second fifty of the tour, finishing unbeaten on 87.

England will bat the entire 90 overs on day two, with Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth expected to open against the bowling of teammates Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood who will bolster a sub-par St Kitts attack.

The first Test begins on April 13 in Antigua.