Broad set to be fit for Sri Lanka

(GETTY IMAGES)

New England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad is winning his battle to be fit to lead the side in Saturday's NatWest Series encounter with Sri Lanka in Bristol.

Broad has been suffering from a bruised heel picked up on the final day of the third npower Test with the Sri Lankans at the Rose Bowl.

It led to speculation that newly appointed vice-captain Eoin Morgan would be given an early taste of England captaincy, but Broad looked to be suffering no ill effects when he took part in intense fielding drills with his team-mates today.

A heavy rain shower meant Broad was only able to bowl one ball in the nets before the players were forced to leave the outfield.

But ECB officials confirmed Broad was only scheduled to undertake a light bowling session today before stepping up his preparations tomorrow.

The recalled Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel were also involved in the hour-long workout.

Kieswetter endured a miserable time last summer in the one-day internationals against Australia and Bangladesh, in stark contrast to being man of the match against the Aussies in the ICC Twenty20 final success last May.

Patel's fitness has been questioned by the England hierarchy and it is two and a half years since his last appearance in an ODI international against India.

But he has been given another chance after an impressive start to the season for Nottinghamshire.