Brisbane, Dec 8, 2008 : Joe Root’s decision to remove pace bowler Stuart Broad from his Playing XI in Wednesday’s Ashes Test at The Gabba surprised former England captain Michael Vaughan. Broad, 35, is the sixth-highest wicket taker in the world with 524 Test wickets.
He ranks third among fast bowlers behind compatriot James Anderson (632) and Glenn McGrath (563).
Broad was announced as part of England’s 12-member squad by skipper Root on Tuesday, but was dropped Wednesday morning.
Vaughan tweeted “A juicy pitch in the Gabba” and added, “It’d done greater than I have ever seen in my years of watching Ashes cricket.” England’s Test batting has not been able to cope with these pitches for a while.I am also shocked that there isn’t a Broad on this type of surface.#Ashes.”
Ex-Australian batter Mark Waugh was actually surprised by Root’s decision not to drop Broad in the Test.He tweeted his response to Vaughan’s comment saying, “Shocked England batted batting first and left out Anderson and Broad.” (Man shrugging emoticon).
Former England left-arm spinner Tufnell played 42 Tests and took 121 wickets.
He said he was surprised England didn’t notice the green Gabba pitch on Wednesday morning, and opted to bat instead.
“We’re all talking pink-ball games, but the one thing England would have wanted is to visit an Australian ground and see it covered in green grass and huge clouds overhead, but they chose to bat,” Tufnell said on BBC’s Test Match Special Wednesday.
“I don’t understand it.Australia’s bowlers have high-class skills and are highly professional.They can only run up and hit the top stump.
Tufnell stated that England had given the initiative to the hosts, choosing to bat.
“All they (Australian quick-bowers) had to do was run up, and execute the most simple skill in their bowling arsenal, which is hitting a good distance outside of stump.England’s decision to give Australia a bat enabled them, I’m afraid.He said, “I couldn’t believe it, I’m sorry.”
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