Broad is ‘gutted’ to be dropped for the Tests in Caribbean
STUART BROAD has broken his silence on his shock England omission and admits he is ‘gutted’ by the decision.
Broad, 35, was part of a post-Ashes cull announced by interim England team director Sir Andrew Strauss last Tuesday that also saw his long-term new ball partner Jimmy Anderson left out of the Test tour to the Caribbean that begins later this month.
Broad revealed that it has left him struggling to sleep and contemplating his future following a 15-year career at international level that has reaped 537 Test wickets — the second most for England behind Anderson.
‘No, I can’t pretend I am as good as gold, because I am not. It would be wrong to act like everything’s okay,’ Broad said.
‘I could take being dropped if I had let my standards slip but facing up to being overlooked when they haven’t, that’s another thing altogether.
‘That’s why I was so outspoken when I was left out against West Indies in Southampton a couple of years ago. It felt unjust. The same again here but with the added factor that I am struggling to put things into context. It’s hard to do so when all you’ve had is a five-minute phone call and nothing else.’
Strauss took responsibility for the calls by a temporary selection panel earlier this week, saying they were made in a bid to unearth ways of winning overseas, and with a view to other leaders emerging in the 1,177-wicket duo’s absence.
Broad added: ‘Right now, I feel gutted,’ but stressed the most important views on whether his England days were up would be held by the men Strauss will help the ECB appoint — a permanent successor to Ashley Giles as director of cricket and a new head coach to replace the sacked Chris Silverwood.