Cricket is all set to resume after COVID-19 pandemic with host England taking on West Indies starting from July 8 (Wednesday). However, veteran English pacer Stuart Broad might miss the first Test in Southampton due to tactical reasons.
The home side is currently facing a problem of plenty with a number of quality fast bowlers in their ranks. Youngsters Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are likely to partner veteran fast bowler James Anderson in the first Test.
Broad likely to miss the first Test
Wood and Archer had injury problems but both of them recovered well in time. As a result, the place of Stuart Broad looks unlikely in the series starter. Dom Bess will be the only spinner in the squad.
“Broad faces the prospect of missing a first home Test match in eight years as England give serious consideration to unleashing the dual pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood at the earliest opportunity,” a recent report in The Guardian suggests.
Stuart Broad last missed a home Test in 2012 when the management rested against West Indies. He has 485 Test scalps to his name and is only second to Anderson in terms of highest wicket-takers for England.
Meanwhile, all-rounder, Chris Woakes might also miss the first Test despite good show in the warm-up game. Stand-in-skipper Ben Stokes might prefer Chris Wood for the first match for his ability to click 90 miles per hour.
England coach Chris Silverwood is likely to adopt a rotation policy with six back-to-back Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan.
England squad:
Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
