As Stuart Broad did not feature in the first and third Test match of the ongoing Ashes, fans and cricket pundits were left to ponder about England's selection decision. Suffering a brutal thrashing at the hands of the Aussies, England have already lost this year's Ashes with still two matches to spare.
Their dismal show started from December 8 itself, when they first stepped onto the field for the much-awaited series. Losing to Australia convincingly, England were forced to bring back the duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad for the second red-ball game. Although the result did not change, the senior pros shared five wickets within themselves in the Test match.
Broad fared decently and gathered two wickets only to warm the bench in the Boxing-Day Test. Expressing his disappointment at missing out on the chance of playing on the "best wobble-seam" pitches in Australia, Broad wrote about his side's poor performance so far in the series.
"As a wobble-seam bowler, I feel as though I missed out on two of the best wobble-seam pitches in Australia. Only playing once has made this a very disappointing trip, one that has not met my personal expectations," Broad wrote on Daily Mail.
"The biggest frustration is losing the Ashes, being 3-0 down and feeling like I've not really done anything. Not being able, as an experienced player, to influence a series where live is tough.
Not only Broad, but Australia's Steve Smith was also visibly surprised over the exclusion of England's premier pacer from the playing XI in two of most lively pitches for the fast-bowlers. Broad has certainly played a limited-role in the Ashes 2021-22 and for England to take something positive out of the tour, they would want him to step up.
“We have been a bit surprised. Two wickets that would have suited him pretty well. Bowled well in Adelaide. He's always been a good contest for me. He's got me out quite a few times, I've scored some runs off him so it's been a decent battle," Smith spoke ahead of the fourth Test match.
"They’ve got quality bowlers. Him and Jimmy together are two world class performers, they have been for a long time. Maybe we’ll see them out here together this week, I’m not sure." he added.
Broad's mysterious omission from the XI only increases confusion as Joe Root admitted about the seam-friendly nature of the tracks in Australia this year. However, the English captain is doubtful that the pitches for the coming Tests will offer the same kind of assistance to the pacers.
"You never know until you play on it. (We) have to adapt to what is in front of you," Root was quoted as saying to the reporters.