English pacer James Anderson believes that he can understand why England skipper Joe Root might want to use Stuart Broad as a first-change bowler in the upcoming Test series with New Zealand. Broad, whose tally of 399 Test wickets puts him second on England’s all-time wicket-taker behind Anderson, has not taken the new ball in either of his side’s warm-up games against a New Zealand XI this week.
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Instead, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes have opened the bowling with Anderson. On Day 1, England had taken 13 wickets of their second practice match.
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Asked about Broad’s role, talking to Sky Sports, vice-captain Anderson said: “Obviously he is disappointed. He’s a very proud bloke. We’ve opened the bowling together for a number of years. He has bowled first change in the past and I can see what Joe wants to do with looking to the future, but also having that experience to come on first change.”
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Broad struggled for most of England’s Ashes loss to Australia, but Anderson has tipped the 31-year-old to shine against the Black Caps. he said, “Stuart has done a lot of work on his activities during the time off between the Ashes and now. The last two games we’ve played, he’s looked a different bowler.”
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James further added, “He looks refreshed, confident, his action looks really strong and he’s getting the ball to move away from the right-handers, which is something he struggled a little bit within recent times. He’s looking really threatening and I think it’s a good option to potentially have him coming on first change.”