Broad ruled out of England's second Test

He will now undertake a rehabilitation programme which will determine his availability for all cricket including the Indian Premier League. Broad, 25, went into the first Test with a sore left ankle which he had sprained on the boundary rope doing warm-ups before the first practice match in Colombo, just over two weeks ago. This latest problem, although on his other leg, could well be linked given the overcompensation that often occurs when bowlers take niggles into a game. England, experiencing a losing streak that has now extended to four straight defeats, will miss a fit Broad, with his aggression and sense of purpose, but not the one there, who was not fully himself. He has struck up a dynamic new-ball partnership with James Anderson, but while he bore his discomfort well during the Test, he was noticeably off colour. With next week’s Test in Colombo a must-win game, it could be a blessing in disguise that he has therefore been ruled out. Steve Finn has more pace than Broad if not yet his knack for taking wickets and should take the opening bowler’s place. Tim Bresnan, himself recently injured, will also be under consideration. England badly missed a third seamer on the opening morning of the Test when they had Sri Lanka 15 for three. Instead of maintaining the pressure created by Anderson and Broad by introducing another pace bowler, they had to turn to spin, which is in the comfort zone for Sri Lankan batsmen, especially on a first day pitch. With 20 wickets more a priority in Colombo than big totals, because of their desperation to win the game and level the series, England could well play five bowlers.