Nottinghamshire bowler Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the remainder of England’s Ashes Tour after suffering a torn stomach muscle.
Broad faces a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in nine weeks time but has targeted a return in that tournament.
"I'm distraught at leaving the tour," said Broad, who remains stranded on 99 career Test wickets.
"Within two or three balls of my spell I knew I was in big trouble. I immediately said to Jimmy Anderson, 'I might be struggling here.' I got through a few overs but it felt like someone stabbing me in the stomach. I put a couple of bouncers in and I could hardly breath. I knew my tour was over. I was going for broke then, and just trying to get a wicket before I was gone.
"The lads have a fantastic opportunity to win the Ashes and hopefully they will keep playing this sort of cricket without me." - Stuart Broad
"I had an injection to see if I could get through this Test bowling and do a job from one end, but the tear was too big and it wasn't really feasible.
"Obviously I'm heartbroken. I've been fortunate in my career because I've been fairly injury free, but this is a blow. It's going to be hard to watch, but I will be watching because the guys are playing fantastic cricket."
"My next focus is to get it 100% right for the World Cup and be fresh and ready to perform then.
"It's eight to 10 weeks' rehab and the first World Cup game is nine weeks, but the thing about that World Cup is that it goes on for years, so even if I miss the first game I'll still be available for the end of it.
"The lads have a fantastic opportunity to win the Ashes and hopefully they will keep playing this sort of cricket without me. It will be hard to leave this changing room. It is a fantastic place to be. It's a great opportunity for whoever takes my place. Everyone is capable of stepping up and delivering."
Broad has announced his intention to remain in Australia to watch the Melbourne Test where England will look to extend their 1-0 series lead.
Graeme Swann was England’s hero in a comfortable win in Adelaide with second innings figures of 5-91 helping to inflict Australia’s first innings defeat in a home Test for 18 years.