ENG vs NZ: Can’t Fall Out With Someone Because They Don’t Pick Me In Team – Stuart Broad On Relations With Joe Root

Senior England pace bowler Stuart Broad justified his relations with England batter Joe Root. Broad was either dropped or benched during the final months of Root’s period as England’s red-ball skipper.

Broad played just three games in the Ashes Down Under and returned with 13 scalps at an average of 9.56. The 35-year-old along with his friend James Anderson was snubbed from the West Indies Test matches in the aftermath of the Ashes debacle.

Joe Root and I are great friends: Stuart Broad

Root stepped down from England’s Test skipper role after they lost 0-1 in the three-match series in the Caribbean in March this year.

Broad and Anderson were called back to the team for the New Zealand Tests under the new regime of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Broad, who has the second-most wickets for England behind Anderson, had expressed his disappointment over being dropped from the squad.

However, the England speedster said he holds great relations with the Yorkshire batter and there can be no dispute between them over selection reasons.

“Joe and I spoke at length when he stood down as captain and I said to him how much he’s meant to me and what a privilege it was playing under him,” Broad told English reporters.

“Joe and I are great friends. And I’ve always been someone who can distinguish between business and pleasure. I can’t fall out with someone because they don’t pick me in a team, that would be a bit pathetic,” he added.

Joe Root’s 26th Test hundred guides England to win in the first Test

Root inspired England to a five-wicket win against the Black Caps in the first Test at the Lord’s. The former England captain was undefeated on 115 and forged an unbroken alliance of 120 with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

Root became the 14th player and second from England to reach 10,000 Test runs en route to the 26th ton in the format.

Broad picked with four wickets on his return to England’s red-ball side. His 3/76 helped England cut short New Zealand’s lead to 277 after the 195-run stand between Daryl Mitchell (108) and Tom Blundell (96).

Also Read: ENG vs NZ: Joe Root Will Go Miles Past My Record – Sir Alastair Cook