Cook disappointed as Onions departs

With James Anderson not fit enough to travel, England had pencilled Broad and Graham Onions in as a reliable new-ball pairing in spin-friendly conditions.

Those plans were rocked last week when both men were laid low by back injuries.

While Broad has recovered quickly and has been bowling full practice spells for a couple of days, Onions is set to return home.

No replacement is required as 20-year-old Middlesex quick Steven Finn had already linked up with the squad as cover, while the fast bowling ranks are also swelled by the likes of Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad and Liam Plunkett.

Of those Yorkshire's Bresnan appeared in pole position to get the nod today for a game scheduled to begin in the early hours of the morning although Finn pressed his case for a whirlwind debut with an eye-catching display against Bangladesh A.

Nevertheless, Cook was sad to see Onions, who was controversially left out of England's last Test against South Africa, depart.

"I'm desperately disappointed for him," said Cook ahead of becoming his country's 79th Test captain.

"He was a huge part of our plans and he still is, obviously, because of the way he bowled in South Africa, where he was unlucky not to take more wickets than he did.

"He bowled really well and I was expecting him to come to these conditions and bowl really well too. But these things happen, and luckily we've got the strength in depth in our seam-bowling unit to be able to cope."

England's team policy is not to name their side before the toss but after sending down the equivalent of 10 overs in Wednesday's net session and returning for another vigorous workout yesterday, 23-year-old Broad appeared set to play.

THE Indian Premier League begins today with Deccan Chargers taking on Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai.