13 Interesting Facts about Chris Broad - The brash batsman and a calmer match referee

13 Interesting Facts about Chris Broad – The brash batsman and a calmer match referee: While Stuart Broad has been the flag-bearer of the Broad family in the cricket arena, it was his father, Chris Broad, who might have eventually inspired his son to reach the heights he is today. A brash batsman with aggression issues, he is rather widely recognized as one of the finest match referees in recent times.

On his 58^th Birthday, here 13 Interesting Facts about Chris Broad – The brash batsman and a calmer match referee:

1. Birth

Chris Broad was born in Knowle, Bristol to parents, Ken and Nancy.

2. Early Ailment

Chris Broad suffered from osteomyelitis, which is an ailment related to the development of bone-marrow, at the age of 15. This hindered his development as a cricketer.

3. First Class Career

His first-class debut came for Gloucestershire in 1979. Chris Broad was an opening batsman and went on to play a total tally of 340 first class matches, scoring an impressive 21,892 runs @ 38.07. Other than Gloucestershire, he also played for Nottinghamshire and Orange free state at various stages of his career.

4. List A Career

Chris Broad scored about 10396 runs in a career spanning of 319 matches at a decent average of 34.76. He was also a handy part-time, taking 25 wickets during his career.

5. Test Debut

Chris Broad made his test debut against the touring West Indies team of 1984. He made 55 in the first innings he batted but scored a duck in the second innings. West Indies won the match by chasing a target of 344, with Gordon Greenidge making an incredible 214.

6. ODI Debut

Chris Broad made his ODI debut against Australia, in a Benson and Hedges challenge ODI. Chris Broad scored 76 and was instrumental in the victory against England.

Also Read – The Father-Son duo; 10 Cricketers and their Sons

7. Dream tour of Australia

In 1986-87 Ashes down under, Chris Broad became the first batsman after Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond to score 3 consecutive test hundreds in Ashes.

8. Brash Behavior

Chris Broad was heavily criticized for his brash behavior and not playing according to team’s needs. And his behavior post dismissals is another aspect which was frowned upon. In 1988 Ashes down under, he smashed the stumps after being bowled. In another instance, Chris Broad was seen as bad-mouthing after being dismissed.

9. Dip in form and getting dropped

Post his unsightly antics of bad mouthing post a test at Lords, Chris Broad was dropped from the team for his discipline issues, and especially his drop of form.

10. End of ODI career

Chris Broad played his last ODI against touring West Indies in 1988. In an unimpressive tally of 34 matches, Chris Broad scored 34 in his final match. Chris Broad retired with 1361 runs scored at an average of 40.02.

11. Final Test

Chris Broad played his final test against Australia at Lords and scored 18 and 24. Chris Broad retired with 1661 runs from 25 matches scored at an average of 39.54.

12. End of first class career

Chris Broad continued playing first-class cricket. Chris Broad returned to his first team, Gloucestershire in 1993. But post a hip injury in 1994, Chris Broad retired from professional cricket.

13. Career as match referee

Chris Broad acted as a match referee for the first time in a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2003. Overall, Chris Broad has officiated 72 test matches, 263 ODIs, and 54 T20is, showing an impressive tally as a match referee. Chris Broad was also part of the umpiring team who were attacked by terrorists during Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan in 2009.