Stuart Broad practises at nets without any discomfort

Stuart Broad

London – England heaved a sigh of relief as Stuart Broad, sporting a splint on his broken nose, bowled without any apparent discomfort at the nets on the eve of the decider fifth Test starting Friday at The Rose Bowl here.

Broad, who broke his nose while negotiating a short pitched delivery from Varun Aaron at Old Trafford last week, skipped Wednesday's noon practice session but was able to practice here Thursday without any problems.

The pacer bowled full pace without any apparent discomfort. Broad also batted for a while but this time he was sporting a different helmet with a double grille. He didn't face pace but only spin and throw-downs.

Leading the series 2-1, England hope that Broad would be available Friday as they go for a series win in the fifth and the final Test.