England seamer Stuart Broad tried to allay fears about his fitness on Thursday ahead of next week’s Ashes opener against Australia saying “if the Test started today I’d be ready to go”.

Broad hasn’t bowled competitively since injuring his right shoulder diving to regain his ground while batting during England’s Champions Trophy final defeat by India at Edgbaston on June 23.

However, the 27-year-old had a cortisone injection on Monday and had some bowling practice during the tea interval on Wednesday’s final day of England’s warm-up match against Essex at Chelmsford.

Broad, the son of former England batsman Chris, played a key role in England regaining the Ashes in 2009 with an innings haul of five wickets for 37 runs in the hosts’ series-clinching win at The Oval before an abdominal muscle injury ruled him out of the last three Tests of the team’s triumphant 2010/11 Ashes campaign in Australia.

But Broad, speaking to reporters in London on Thursday, insisted he was now fully fit and available for the start of England’s Ashes defence, which will begin at Trent Bridge — his Nottinghamshire home ground — on July 10.

“If it was anything but my right shoulder, it wouldn’t have been much of an issue,” Broad said of the injury.

“There was just a bit of catching in the socket when my arm rotated which wasn’t healing as quickly as it could have done.

“I batted and bowled yesterday (Wednesday) and I am 100 per cent fit.”

Broad’s words backed up comments made by England coach Andy Flower who, speaking after England’s 228 run-win over Essex, said Wednesday he was “pleasantly surprised” by the paceman’s first bowling attempt since his injury.

“We anticipate him (Broad) being fit. He could not have played this game, but he should be OK (for the first Test).”