STUART Broad has been made available to play for Notts in two early-season LV County Championship matches.
The ECB have made the centrally contracted bowler available for the match beginning April 24 at Derbyshire and the match starting April 29 at home to Durham.
In Barbados on a pre-season tour with his team, Notts director of cricket Mick Newell hadn't heard the news when contacted by the Post. Almost audible was the sound of the boss rearranging his early-season first XI.
"That's great news for us," he said. "Obviously we didn't expect to see much of him. You'd hope you get them in the early season when they get them ready for the Test matches. You accept that you're being used a bit to get them used to English conditions again after a winter away, but if they can put you in a good position, that's fine."
Broad's inclusion means other fast bowlers may not get as many April overs as they would have otherwise. But in a side with a few veteran bowlers in their 30s, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
"There will be some who won't play in April," Newell said. "But that will keep them fresh for later in the season".
Broad has been on good form in England's tour of New Zealand, taking 6 for 51 in the first innings of a rain-affected draw at Wellington. The third and final Test began Thursday night, UK time, in Auckland.
Broad's Notts teammates return Tuesday from Barbados. They play their final match of the tour, a friendly against Yorkshire, today and Saturday.
Notts' other Test regular will not see action for Notts or England in the immediate future. Graeme Swann recently underwent elbow surgery in the US, and his recovery progress is now being monitored. He is expected to be recovered in time for the first Ashes Test, July 10 to 14 at Trent Bridge.
Samit Patel, who featured in the Test side in India but who has not played in New Zealand, will also be available to Notts.
