The veteran English fast bowler, James Anderson has asserted that omission of the his new-ball partner, Stuart Broad from the first Test against West Indies shows the bowling strength of England. His remarks came after the end of day’s play on day three of the first Test between England and West Indies which has been played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

In the first innings, the West Indies managed to score 318 runs, managing to take a lead of 114 over the hosts. Currently, at the stroke of lunch on Day 4, the hosts are standing at 79/1.

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Explaining his point of view after the close of play on day three, Anderson said, “He (Broad) is frustrated and disappointed to be left out, but this shows the strength we have in our bowling lineup and it is good for England that Stuart is disappointed to be left out of the team. He is desperate to be in this team and be a part of our success, so it’s a huge positive for the group going forward.”

Despite being in the 13-member squad for the Southampton Test, Broad wasn’t selected for in the playing XI as England preferred to go for the extra pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for the Southampton Test.

For West Indies, Kraigg Brathwaite was the highest run-scorer as he amassed 65, while Shane Dowrich registered a score of 61 to take the team total past the 300-run mark. In the first innings, Anderson managed to scalp three wickets while Ben Stokes (stand-in skipper) took a four-fer. he hosts still trail West Indies by 35  runs.

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In the first innings, England had managed to reach a total of 204 with Jason Holder taking six wickets for the Windies. Shannon Gabriel scalped four wickets to bowl out England in just 67.3 overs.