‘Was it because England took the West Indies lightly?' – Nasser Hussain questions Stuart Broad’s omission from the Southampton Test

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain wasn’t happy with the fact that Stuart Broad was sidelined from the hosts’ eleven for the opening Test against the West Indies. The decision to keep Broad aside backfired as the Three Lions lost the game at the Rose Bowl in Southampton by four wickets. The Brits preferred Mark Wood and Jofra Archer to partner the experienced James Anderson.

Hussain didn’t mince any words in saying that the home team undermined Jason Holder and Co, and had to pay a heavy price. He also stated that had it been an opening Test of an Ashes against Australia, Broad’s place in the eleven was guaranteed.

Hussain backs Stuart Broad

“All I would say about Broad is that if this had been the first Test of an Ashes series, would he have been playing. I would say, yes, 100 per cent? So why wasn’t he playing against the West Indies?” Hussain was quoted as saying on Sky Sports.

“Was it because we underestimated West Indies and took them lightly? They hold the Wisden Trophy – we have underestimated them in the past and they have beaten us, so why do it here?” Hussain stated.

Broad is currently second in the all-time list of wicket-takers for England, picking up 485 wickets from 138 matches. After being left out, Broad couldn’t help, but vent out his frustration. The axing came as a shocker to him, especially after his performances in the Ashes last year and in the away Test series against South Africa earlier this year.

The second Test gets underway on July 16 at the Old Trafford in Manchester and another loss will see England lose the series. Hussain also hit out, saying that the team management couldn’t make a choice between Wood and Archer.

“Was it because they couldn’t choose between Wood and Archer and so split up Broad and (Jimmy) Anderson and said ‘look to the future’? Look to the now. Win this game. It’s a three-match series and you don’t hold the Wisden Trophy,” he added.

Earlier, Ben Stokes, who stood in for Joe Root, said that he doesn’t have any regrets of leaving out Broad. However, he also said that the pacer’s career with the national team is far from over.