Former Ashes greats call for Stuart Broad to be axed

The ongoing Ashes Tests turned out to be a rather one-sided affair with hosts Australia demolishing their English counterpart. The nation from ‘Down Under’ secured victories in the first three consecutive Tests, and in the process reclaimed the urn. With the fourth Test slated to kickoff on Boxing Day at MCG, the Lions will be playing for honor in the dead-rubber fixture.

Starting from bowling discipline, to batsman’s perseverance and tenacity, everything went wrong for the Lions in the ongoing tour. However, a pressing issue that remains a major concern for England’s team management ahead of the Boxing Day clash is speedster Stuart Broad’s form. And now former Australia fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath has also joined the chorus calling for England to drop Stuart Broad for the upcoming Test. McGrath believes that England skipper Joe Root’s handling of the fast bowler was exacerbating his issues, criticising the visitors’ ploy of using Broad in four-over spells.

Speaking about Broad’s rough patch, McGrath wrote in his Daily Mail column, “No one can go on forever and when you are not doing the business anymore you have to consider what comes next, and as tough a call as it would be for England ahead of the fourth Test, maybe it is time for a bit of a change.”

Broad has been struggling with a long-term knee issue

The England pace spearhead has taken just five wickets in three Magellan Ashes Tests, going wicketless in three innings, and at an average of 61.80. The 31-year-old has struggled with a long-term knee issue and reportedly had it drained of fluid ahead of the WACA Test, prompting calls to drop the 112-Test veteran in Melbourne. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also called for Broad to be dropped after underperforming in 2017. Ex-Australian quick Mitchell Johnson, chief architect of the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, also said Broad was in danger of being dropped.

Broad’s strike-rate this series is a whopping 135.6, meaning he has been taking a wicket once every 23 overs. His last five-wicket haul came in January 2016 in Johannesburg and has only taken four wickets twice in the 42 Test innings since.