England plays New Zealand in a two-match Test series after losing the ODI series 3-2 in the recently concluded ODI series. James Anderson who will take the new ball in the Test series has said that he understands why England Test skipper Joe Root will be reluctant to give the new ball to Stuart Broad.
Broad, whose tally of 399 Test wickets puts him second on England's all-time list behind Anderson, has not taken the new ball in either of his side's warm-up games against a New Zealand XI this week.
Asked about Broad's role, vice-captain Anderson told Sky Sports: "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."
Anderson has backed his fellow pacer to come good in the Test series against New Zealand after a rather disappointing Ashes series as far his standards.
"Stuart has done a lot of work on his action during the time off between the Ashes and now," he added. "The last two games we've played, he's looked a different bowler.
"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."
New Zealand 1st Test squad
Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
England Test squad
Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (capt), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Ben Foakes (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson, *Jack Leach.
Schedule
22-26 1st Test, Auckland (d/n) (01:00 GMT)
30-3 Apr 2nd Test, Christchurch (22:00 GMT/23:00 BST, 29 Mar-2 Apr)
