England bowler Broad passes fitness test

England paceman Stuart Broad has passed a fitness test and will take the field for the start of the second day of the first Test against Australia on Thursday, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed in a statement. Nottinghamshire quick Broad didn't field at all on his Trent Bridge home ground Wednesday after being struck on the right shoulder while batting by Australia fast bowler James Pattinson. But he was given the all-clear Thursday after a 20-minute fitness test at the ground and an ECB statement said: "Broad has passed his fitness test and will join his team on field at 11.00am (1000GMT, the scheduled start time). "He is expected to be able to bowl." Ashes-holders England were dismissed for just 215 after winning the toss Wednesday but, in Broad's absence, reduced Australia to 75 for four with fellow quicks Steven Finn and James Anderson taking two wickets apiece. However, with Wednesday's overcast conditions replaced Thursday by blue skies above Trent Bridge promising to make life easier for batsmen, England were understandably keen to field their full-strength bowling attack. Broad has not bowled competitively since injuring his right shoulder while batting during England's Champions Trophy final loss against India at Edgbaston last month. From: AFP