England back Stuart Broad to be fit for first Test with South Africa at Lord's

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England remain hopeful Stuart Broad will be fit for the first Test against South Africa even though he was on Friday ruled out of next week’s pink-ball Championship experiment.

The heel injury that forced Broad to limp out of Notts’ victory over Leicestershire has caused consternation among specialists who were on Friday still mulling over two scans.

Yet even though Broad will miss the day-night game against Kent next week and probably the Royal London One-Day Cup final against Surrey on July 1, England believe he could feature at Lord’s on July 6 in the first of four Tests. 

England are hopeful Stuart Broad will recover from injury to face South Africa in the first Test

The 30-year-old was forced to limp out of Notts’ victory over Leicestershire with a heel injury

They will make a late decision on the fitness of a bowler who will be integral to England’s attack in the seven Tests they face this summer against South Africa and West Indies and the Ashes.

It remains a worry for England, who will be without Chris Woakes and have Jimmy Anderson and Ben Stokes returning from injuries. 

Broad has had to manage pain in his left heel for some time and his initial reaction was that the latest problem was only minor one. A second scan, however, revealed a concern.

England are already set to be without all-rounder Chris Woakes for the clash with South Africa

Ben Stokes and James Anderson are other bowling options returning from injury for England