Stu boiling hot for Ashes showdown

ENGLAND have favoured Stuart Broad's experience over Mark Wood's raw pace for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, naming their playing XI two days early in a show of confidence

- RORY DOLLARD

 

With Lancashire's James Anderson and Ollie Robinson fit to return to the XI after resting injury niggles against Ireland at Lord's, there was just one spot left in the seam attack for tomorrow's series opener.

Captain Ben Stokes has previously spoken of his desire to have a 90mph option at his disposal and, with Jofra Archer and Olly Stone on the sidelines, the temptation to unleash the quickest bowler in the country must have been considerable.

But Wood was edged out by Broad, who led the attack impressively against the Irish at the start of the month and whose record of 162 caps and 582 wickets is bettered only by Anderson.