The baby’s due date clashes with a training camp in Abu Dhabi. Including a game between England and England Lions – it would mean he would not be match-ready for the series to be held in Rawalpindi.
Broad is understood to have thought long and hard about his decision, not least because he played a stellar summer cricket with England in which he was the leading wicket-taker in a Test team that won six out of seven matches. ended as
His 29 wickets took him to a career tally of 566, surpassing the return of Australian great Glenn McGrath, making him fifth in the all-time standings and second only to new-ball teammate Jimmy Anderson among seamers.
The Nottinghamshire player hinted that he was moving towards withdrawing his name in The Mail on Sunday last month, when he said a decision had to be made, in which he spoke about his personal life with England in his 15-year international career. With this, priority was given to public jobs.
Although the balance will shift in his final days in England shirts, he intends to have a lot of them left, with a two-Test tour of New Zealand next spring and the 2023 Ashes very high on his radar.
And he was clearly convinced that being selected to visit Pakistan had changed his position and influence aside, which has significantly changed his image and results since the start of last summer, from a disappointing 17 to one win. have changed.
Stuart Broad’s enthusiasm to remain an integral member of Ben Stokes’ team was in stark contrast to his sentiments six months earlier, when the bowler contemplated retirement due to his omission from a 1-0 series loss in the Caribbean by the interim selection panel.
However, Stokes and the change of coach Brendon McCullum reinvigorated the 159-cap legend and he excelled in his new role as first change.
But confirmation that Broad has followed Moeen Ali and ruled himself out will officially come next weekend when England name their squad to return to Pakistan.
The tour passed without incident after the Pakistan Cricket Board invested £4.4 million on VVIP level security for players from both sides in England’s first tour of the country since 2005.
Stuart Broad’s absence for the return trip coincides with the return of Mark Wood, who will add immense momentum to a bowling unit that also includes Anderson, Robinson, Matt Potts and potentially Reece Topley.