Contrary To Ben Stokes' Comments, Stuart Broad Frustrated And Angry Over His Non-Selection For The First Test Against The West Indies

England paceman Stuart Broad has brokes his silence on getting sidelined for the ongoing first Test between England and West Indies in Southampton. The home side made a stunning call of dropping one of Stuart Broad, who has been one of their chief destroyers, for their first match of the home season. Instead, they gave preference to the rockets bowled by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood to partner James Anderson.

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Stuart Broad has a tally of 485 wickets in 138 Tests, which makes him the second-highest wicket-taker of England, behind Anderson. The 34-year old’s absence from the first Test marks his first at home since 2012, which makes it 51 consecutive matches before missing one.

And after the Three Lions failed to make significant breakthroughs on the second day, the cricketing fraternity thinks Ben Stokes might have caused a blunder.

Stuart Broad revealed that he has been frustrated and furious since the decision is mind-boggling. The Nottinghamshire bowler said that he bowled the best during the last couple of years, especially in Ashes 2019 and South Africa this year.

The veteran picked up 23 and 14 wickets during the two rubbers at averages of 12.20 and 15.25 respectively. The experienced paceman’s comments are highly contradictory to what Stokes revealed. The skipper said that Broad and Chris Woakes dealt with their non-selection “as champions”.

“I’ve been frustrated, angry, gutted because it is quite a hard decision to understand. I’ve probably bowled the best I’ve ever bowled in the last couple of years. I felt like it was my shirt, particularly winning the Ashes and going to South Africa and winning there,” Broad said.

Broad went on to say that the camp has also found itself in an excellent position this summer, having all their fast bowlers without injuries. According to the 34-year old, one of the strengths that he prides himself on is his durability and fitness due to which his spot should have been locked.

“But we are also in a fairly unique position this summer – very rarely do you get all your bowlers fit, like we’ve got at this minute. Part of my strength and durability as a cricketer is that I’ve been fit on a lot of occasions and been available for selection. I felt like I deserved a spot in the team as would anyone else,” he added.

I found out about 6 pm that night before the game: Stuart Broad

Stand-in-captain Ben Stokes revealed the decision not to play him for the first Test at 6 pm, one night before the game. Furthermore, when asked to selector Ed Smith, he stated that the selections were purely based on the nature of the pitch and gave Broad positive feedback moving forward.

“I found out about 6 pm that night before the game. Stokes told me England would be going with extra pace on these conditions. I spoke to Ed Smith last night, he said it was picked purely for this pitch. I wanted clarifications on the future going forward and I was given pretty positive feedback in going forward,” Stuart Broad stated.

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