Ashes 2017-18: Stuart Broad didn’t doubt about his return with red-ball

England fast bowler Stuart Broad has bagged three wickets on the day two of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne – to seal the innings figures of four for 51 in 28 overs, as Australia was restricted to 327 in 119 overs, the prominent face in the English bowling department believes he has gone through a tough phase of late.

“It’s been a pretty tough couple of weeks really, but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding,” Broad told AAP during the press conference.

At stumps on day two in Melbourne, England is trailing by 135 runs and has posted 192 for two in 57 overs.

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So much so, the former England skipper Michael Vaughan earlier opined Broad should be sidelined for the ongoing fourth Test which further saw bowling great from Australia Glenn McGrath also criticised the bowler for being unimpressive.

Earlier, Australia resumed their overnight score of 244 for three before Broad dismissed Shaun Marsh (61 off 148), Pat Cummins (4 off 18) and Jackson Bird (nought).

The new-ball partner of James Anderson, Broad bowled splendidly following the criticism in the recent past while adding he has deserved the condemnation.

“I deserved criticism after the Perth defeat, for sure. I’m a better bowler when I’m thinking attackingly,” Broad added.

The 31-year-old Nottingham-based Broad, however, did not feel discouraged and had always believed in himself to deliver big for his team.

As Australia fall apart on day two, Broad further admitted that he struggled with the ball following the criticism over his selection in the recent past.

Moreover, believing in his ability to deliver for his national side, Broad further does not hold the grudge following the barrage of criticism which further saw the visiting England losing the Urn in Perth.

“I think at the WACA I fell into a bit of a mental trap of looking not to concede runs instead of looking to take wickets,” Broad explained.

In Perth Test, Broad went for plenty as he conceded 142 runs without collecting a wicket. So far, in six innings, Broad claimed nine wickets, as he has further three innings to leave an impact as an experienced bowler.

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Broad claimed five wickets in first two Tests held in Brisbane and Adelaide, as the lanky fast bowler managed to collect just two wickets in the pink-ball Test.

“I’ve been very unaware of things being written and said,” Broad asserted.

Unfortunately, Broad has gone through a lean patch which saw him bagging 25 wickets in 10 Test matches.

In 206 innings of 113 Tests, Broad has claimed 397 wickets at an average of 29.07. He has already bagged 15 five-wicket hauls under his belt.