Stuart Broad closes in on return to fitness for England

Stuart Broad returned to England practice today, as he continues to recover from the stomach upset which ruled him out of the World Cup tie against India.

The England fast bowler suffered his second tummy upset of the tour shortly before the Group B match against the tournament favourites and co-hosts on Sunday.

Broad has made a gradual improvement, though, and was feeling well enough today to join his team-mates for practice at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

He took a full part in fielding drills and also had a bowl in the nets.

Even so, it is still far from certain yet whether he will be fit enough to return to the team to take on Ireland at the same venue tomorrow.

Broad was replaced at the weekend by Ajmal Shahzad, who took none for 53 in a high-scoring and epic encounter with India.

Fellow seamer Tim Bresnan reported his team-mate in increasingly improved shape. Asked about Broad's health, he said: "He's a lot better today.

"I think he'll be keen to get out there and bowl some overs in the nets."

England have no other fitness concerns for tomorrow's match.