Broad hasn’t gone out of passion for England
ANGRY PACE ACE STILL HAS ROLE VOWS COACH
STUART BROAD has been assured he still has a big role to play for England, with head coach Chris Silverwood insisting his outburst at being dropped showcased hunger not bitterness.
The country’s second most successful wicket-taker spelt out his frustrations in a TV interview during the first Test. After Ben Stokes, the stand-in captain, and Silverwood opted for the express pace of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, Broad let fly, saying he was “frustrated, gutted and angry”. Silverwood looks likely to restore Broad to the starting XI at Old Trafford on Thursday as England look to level the series with the West Indies after their four-wicket defeat. Although the coach stands by last week’s decision, he praised the 34-year-old’s reaction to being dropped. Silverwood said: “I think Stuart handled himself very well during that interview, to be honest.
“What I did love about it, and subsequently the conversations I’ve had with him, is that passion, that drive is still there. To see that in someone who’s done as much in the game as he has, I find it very exciting to be honest.And Stuart still has a big role within this team. I’ve made that very clear to him.”
Selector Ed Smith proved a useful lightning rod for Broad’s anger given the bowler had no wish to criticise Stokes or Silverwood, above.
But the latter stressed Smith’s involvement in the selection ended with the delivery of a 13-man squad.
“The selectors help us pick the 13 then the final XI comes down to Ben and myself,” said Silverwood.
“The decision was made because of what we felt we needed on this pitch. As Ben did, I stand by the decision.We saw in the game as well that
some of the bowlers did have an impact with pace. Shannon Gabriel came in, as did Alzarri Joseph. We saw Jofra on the final day involved – he bowled a beautiful opening spell. So pace did play a part in that.” Silverwood is also set to stand by Jos Buttler despite concern about him not translating his white-ball dominance to the longer format. At Southampton, Buttler fell in the second innings for nine to continue a run of 12 innings without a halfcentury. He also dropped Jermaine Blackwood on 20 before he went on to make 95.With Ben Foakes a better gloveman, the pressure is growing but Silverwood insisted he will not load more on to Buttler, below. “I’m not going to go down that road of putting Jos under pressure as I don’t think it will help him,” he said. “We will give him the best chance to succeed.”