England Made Mistake Leaving Stuart Broad: Nasser Hussain

Former England captain turned pundit Nasser Hussain said that the home side made a mistake leaving Stuart Broad out in the Southampton Test. Broad was dropped for the first time in a home Test since 2012. The last time he was not playing at home was because he was rested after England had already clinched the series against the West Indies.

In Southampton, England opted to go with Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, as they are touted to be the future of the team. Even though Broad’s absence cost England dearly as the West Indies picked up a healthy lead, his new ball partner James Anderson said it shows the strength of the side. Anderson also said that it is good for the team that Broad is frustrated and wants to be a part of the team’s success as it will help him performer better.

But Hussain differed with his opinion has he suggested that the pitch in Southampton is crying out for Anderson and Broad to weave their magic. He also said that England have chosen a side for flat pitch not the one to play under overcast conditions with the Dukes.

“I do feel England have made a mistake by leaving him out. It’s as if they’ve chosen a side for a flat pitch overseas with the Kookaburra — not an English surface under grey skies with the Dukes,” Nasser Hussain wrote in his column for Daily Mail. 

“The conditions have cried out for Anderson and Broad to do their thing. If this was Brisbane, and you wanted to break up the two old warhorses, then I’d just about understand the logic. But we’re talking about Southampton,” he added.

Archer and Wood failed to be on the mark in absence of Broad on Day 3. Both the fast bowlers bowled 24 overs each with Wood picking up the lone wicket of tailender Shannon Gabriel while Archer went wicketless. Anderson, on the other hand, picked up four wickets for England but he seemingly lacked support from the other end which was filled up by Ben Stokes’ bowling up to some extent.

Broad had reportedly spoke about the stiff competition in the England team at the moment. He is nearing his 500 Test wickets tally with already 485 to his name at an average of 28.50. He has an economy rate of 2.95 and picked up 17 five-wicket haul and two 10-wicket to his name.