"No Game Plan"- Stuart Broad fires heavy artillery at Harry Brook's England

Former fast bowler Stuart Broad has opened up about England’s current white-ball team following the ODI series loss to South Africa on home soil. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that he is uncertain about the team’s game plan, adding that the squad appearing tired led to England losing the series.

South Africa secured a narrow five-run victory over England in the second ODI at Lord’s in London on Thursday, September 4. The visiting team took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, and Jos Buttler scored half-centuries, but England fell just short of the 331-run target.

We're Not Quite Sure What the Game Plan Is - Stuart Broad

Speaking to Sky Sports, Stuart Broad expressed concerns about England’s current white-ball setup. He said that bowling and fielding performances were lacking energy compared to the intensity shown by the South Africans.

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"I suppose we're not quite sure what the game plan is, and it's not necessarily working right now. I think the group looks tired," Stuart Broad said.

"I always look at body language in the field and the bowlers, and it felt like a pretty flat bowling and fielding performance today compared to the energy that Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis bring to the team. So, that's a bit of a problem, which is why you've lost the series."

Brendon McCullum Was in Charge of the Champions Trophy - Stuart Broad

In the same video, Stuart Broad said that there is a lack of clear direction in England’s white-ball team. Broad stated that McCullum provided clear goals for the Test team.

"Brendon McCullum was in charge of the Champions Trophy but had little influence because he took over just before it. They played nicely against the West Indies — feels like ages ago at the start of the summer, doesn’t it? The white-ball side has had a huge gap since then."

"With the Test team, McCullum was very clear about what he wanted to achieve; even the press and we understood the goal, so we could fully back it. We haven’t really heard similar guidance for the white-ball group, apart from Harry Brook saying they want to be aggressive with the bat and take wickets with the ball — well, yes, that’s cricket, isn’t it?"

South Africa Clinches First ODI Series Win in England After 25 Years

South Africa ended a 25-year wait for an ODI series victory on English soil. The Proteas had lost four bilateral ODI series to England (2008, 2012, 2017, 2022) before claiming the current series.

England suffered a fourth consecutive ODI loss to South Africa. They managed to win just one of the six bilateral ODI series played since the 2023 World Cup. The Harry Brook-led side has recorded a 31.8% win rate, only better than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe among full-member nations.

South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke became the first player in ODI history to score five consecutive half-centuries from debut. He scored 85 off 77 balls to help the Proteas reach 330/8 in the second ODI. Nandre Burger took three wickets to secure a narrow five-run victory.

The final ODI of the three-match series is scheduled for Sunday, September 7, in Southampton. England will aim for a consolation victory to end the series on a positive note.

Also read: Tristan Stubbs produces the 8th wonder of the world at Lord's, England stunned