WI vs ENG: Shane Warne 'Surprised' By England's Decision To Drop Stuart Broad For West Indies Test Series

Former Australian spin legend Shane Warne has shared his opinion on England deciding to drop James Anderson and Stuart Broad from their Test squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against West Indies in West Indies. The Windies had earlier won the T20I series 3-2. The sides will play the first of the three Tests from March 8-12 in Antigua.

Talking to Sky Sports, Shane Warne spoke about the recent cricket played by both Australia and England and the repercussions from the Ashes series on both teams. He said that he is keeping the options of coaching the England team in the future open.

However, the main focus of his conversation was on the England management deciding to drop the veteran duo of Anderson and Broad for the Test series against West Indies.

Anderson and Broad have taken a combined 1,177 Test wickets but seems like the veteran pace duo has fallen out of favour now. Warne said that he was shocked by the board’s decision to drop both the pacers from the Test squad.

‘I wasn’t surprised Anderson got left out. He is England’s best-ever bowler and when the conditions suit he is still a handful but when it was flat [in Australia] I think he struggled,” said Warne.

‘He bowled a nice line and length, was economical and could dry up and end and could do a role with firepower at the other end. But I think he needs conditions.

“You want him to play in England and if he plays in the West Indies after the Ashes series it is going to be hard in England so I don’t mind him having a break – but I would have played Broad,” Warne added.

Surprised Stuart Broad Didn’t Go To West Indies: Shane Warne

Warne further said that He would have preferred to have Stuart Broad still in the side given that he is four years younger than Anderson and there is still a lot of cricket left in him.

‘I think at times he bowled really well in Australia. People lump Broad and Anderson in together but Broad is four years younger than Anderson, so I am surprised Broad didn’t go to the West Indies,” Warne concluded saying.

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