Stuart Broad only played three Tests on the 2021/22 Ashes Tour, collecting 13 wickets. Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
Stuart Broad was 'furious' when he was omitted from England for the first Test of the Last Ashes series, but says he has since changed and will accept the next week he will not be elected in Edgbaston.
Brod did his job. He has no chance of harm at all: five of 51 secured Ireland's victory last week, but with James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood expected to be ready for the Ashes' first match, he could be pushed out of the attack.< /p>
Jack Leach's injury has made him more likely to be attacked from all directions at Birmingham, and Broad's position over David Warner will also boost his chances of winning. This is the most difficult breeding decision of the Ben Stokes era.
Broad did little to hide his disappointment at not being picked in the past. He was angry in Brisbane when he and Anderson were not selected for the first ash test on Gabba's green field. And when he was left out of the test against the West Indies in 2020 because England needed some extra pace, he criticized the breeders and said he was «disappointed, angry and devastated» for not playing.
But since then his seniority in the team has deteriorated, he is no longer the first choice and he has more respect for the current leadership than those who made decisions in the past. . Stokes is also unlikely to put up with any theatricality, and the last thing any of the players want to do now is to make a mistake and miss.
“Brisbane, I was furious. So yeah, I've definitely changed,» Brod said. “And in a good way. I see my role as amazing when I get the chance, but we also don't get interviews like the Ageas Bowl. I really enjoy doing this, but… but I'm very comfortable playing the first, second, third, fourth or fifth test as long as I strike at some stage.
“I just enjoy the environment. The communication is really clear that we need everyone. It's not like if you don't participate in that first XI in Edgbaston you won't be in the first XI in Lord's, in that sense it's not like a closed shop. It's very important, we need everyone.»
«And in the end, I just really enjoy being in a band. it's a really exciting environment and I believe the culture that Baz and Stokes have created is one and all. We are just happy about every success. So, ultimately, if I only play one game and we raise the urn at the Oval, it will be a huge tick in the box of English cricket. It's not about me, but about the team.”
Broud is the only fully fit senior bowler and has a good track record at Edgbaston averaging just 24. England would be happy to play Wood three times and there's an argument he might be a better fit for Lord where extra pace is needed, as shown Ireland when the ball softened and the pitch leveled.
Broad showed off his form and fitness by winning five wickets against Ireland, but did he start enough against Australia? Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
However, that would be contrary to Brandon McCallum's goal of playing the game in front of them rather than planning the next game — something that thwarted England in Australia 18 months ago. Broad said in Sydney that he should have stopped. “Can we get back to the real basics of what's in store for us right now? How will we win the next test match? I urge us players to do this,” he said.
Hence the pragmatism about his own place. «I think eventually we as a team will need every bowler and we will need to take 100 wickets to win the Ashes,» he added.
“Obviously we will need to score 20 wickets at Edgbaston but we will need guys who are fit and fresh to score 20 wickets at Manchester. So I don't know how Friday's qualifiers are going to be, whether they're going to watch certain bowlers at certain venues and try to play the bowlers where they played better, I'm not sure. But my ultimate goal is to be fit and fresh and play at The Oval because it's the fifth match and that means I've done my job for the group.»
England players rallied around Jack Leach since then. On Sunday, it was announced that he would miss the entire series due to a stress fracture in his back.
This news stunned his teammates. “Big hit. I was gutted,” Brod said. “He was really sick during this game with Ireland, his back was a little numb, and on the last day his calves hurt. I don't know if it was related. «
«I saw him at breakfast on Sunday morning and I don't think he knew about the news. He seemed quite cheerful and good. I wrote to him to let him know we're all working for him.”
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Stuart Broad spoke at the launch of vintner Laithwaites' partnership with England Cricket. For exclusive deals on great wines this summer, visit laithwaites.co.uk
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