England is currently playing the first Test against West Indies at Southampton. Before the Test began very few people predicted that Stuart Broad will sit out from the England side. The stand-in-skipper Ben Stokes went in with James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood as his fast bowlers.
A few weeks ago it looked like Wood will miss out from the squad and the trusted duo of Broad and Anderson will share the new ball. However, the omission of Broad came as a huge surprise. Incidentally, he is the second-highest wicket-taker for England in Test matches after Anderson.
Speaking to ‘Sky Sports’ the fast bowler expressed his disappointment over missing out from the Test match. Broad honestly stated that it was personally a hard decision for him to understand. The fast bowler seemed frustrated and gutted as he was in terrific form with the ball leading to the Test.
Broad frustrated with Test snub
Broad added that the last couple of days has been tough for him as he deserved a place. He even spoke to National Selector Ed Smith to which even he didn’t have any solid answer. Ben Stokes had told Stuart Broad he would sit out of the Test as he is going with extra pace due to the conditions.
“I found out about 6 pm the night before the game. Stokesy told me just that they’re going with extra pace in these conditions. I’ve been frustrated, angry and gutted – because it’s quite a hard decision to understand. I’ve probably bowled the best I’ve ever bowled in the last couple of years. I felt like it was my shirt has been in the team through the Ashes and going to South Africa and winning there”.
“I felt like I deserved a spot in the team, like everyone else. Chris Woakes, Sam Curran was bowling really well and probably deserve to be in the XI too. So it is hard to take but also I’m quite pleased I feel frustrated and feel gutted and angry because if I didn’t I’d have a different decision to make,” Broad further added.
“I spoke to Ed Smith last night and he said he’s involved in picking the 13 and this was picked purely for this pitch. I’m not a particularly emotional person but I’ve found the last couple of days quite tough. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement: you get disappointed if you drop your phone and break your screen,” concluded Broad.
Meanwhile, England are down in the first Test as West Indies have earned a crucial first-innings lead. The home side is currently trailing by 99 runs in second innings with ten wickets in hand. The Englishmen will look to take a massive lead and put the Caribbeans under pressure.