Broad struggles with upset tummy before India clash

England's in-form opening bowler Stuart Broad skipped practice due to an upset stomach but is expected to recover in time for the Group B showdown with co-hosts India on Sunday, skipper Andrew Strauss said.

"Stuart Broad is struggling with a bit of a tummy upset today but he should be fully fit for tomorrow," Strauss told a press conference at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. "Other than that everyone's fine." The fitness of 24-year-old Broad is key to England's success in curbing the explosive Indian line-up, especially since his partner with the new ball, James Anderson, has not yet kicked into full gear. In contrast, the lanky Broad has been among the wickets, picking up two in their tournament-opening win over the Netherlands and five-wicket hauls in their warm-up victories over Pakistan and Canada. Broad is the latest in a long line of fitness issues with the England team after a long Ashes tour took a physical and mental toll on the team. India themselves have been struggling with injuries with Virender Sehwag being the latest casualty after being struck in the ribs in net practice on Friday, but should be fit for Sunday according to team staff. A win on Sunday would be a true measure of each side's ability to deal with the injuries and would be a huge confidence boost to each side's bowling. Both teams conceded almost 300 runs to teams with arguably weaker batting orders. Beside a jaded bowling line-up, Strauss also has to deal with the uncertainty of weather conditions, saying that he had conflicting reports on how the wicket would play depending on the possibility of rain. "I think it's important not to be too blinkered into assuming (the wicket) is just going to do something. You've got to look at the conditions. There's a bit of weather around at the moment and that might change the look of the wicket," Strauss said. England had a long fielding session on Thursday, brushing up their catches, ground fielding and throws. Strauss said the team had a "pretty stark wake-up call" after some sloppy fielding almost cost them a win in their opening match against the Dutch.

"We know we have to play well and we are under no illusions about that."