 Broad has played in nine ODIs and three Twenty20 games for England |
Leicestershire paceman Stuart Broad has been named in England's squad of 13 for Thursday's first Test against India at Lord's amid doubts over Steve Harmison. Harmison aggravated a hernia problem playing for Durham against Sussex on Thursday and may need surgery soon.
England will assess his fitness on Monday and if he is ruled out his place will be taken by the uncapped Broad, 21, or Lancashire's James Anderson.
Opening batsman Andrew Strauss has been retained despite a run of poor form.
Harmison, 28, endured a torrid time in the Ashes last winter and struggled for consistency in the recent Test series against the West Indies, although he has been successful in county cricket this season.
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He was diagnosed with the hernia problem in the final Test against the Windies but hoped to play in all three Tests against India and Durham's Friends Provident Trophy final clash with Hampshire at Lord's on 18 August before having surgery.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "The chances of him playing are slim but they haven't been written off completely, and on Monday night we'll have a better picture.
"It's one of these scenarios where you continue to play until the doctors decide it's the appropriate time to have an operation.
 Harmison bowled only five overs for Durham against Sussex |
"It will be very disappointing if we are without Stephen as he has been in excellent form for Durham recently and looked to be back to his best in the last Test against the West Indies.
"It may mean that we have to go into this series with a relatively inexperienced attack."
Broad, son of former England opener Chris, was first brought in for the limited-overs games against Pakistan last year and also featured in the Twenty20 games and ODIs against the Windies.
He impressed the watching Graveney at Chelmsford on Saturday by taking 2-54 for England Lions against the Indian tourists.
Meanwhile, Strauss keeps his place after struggling for runs since the Australia tour.
His 77 in the first innings in the fourth Windies Test was only his second half century in 17 Test innings.
England squad: Michael Vaughan (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (wkt), Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss.
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