ENG vs PAK 2018: Stuart Broad replies to Michael Vaughan's criticism against James Anderson

Broad and Anderson picked up 6 wickets together as Pakistan were all out fir 174 in their first innings at Headingley.

Broad took 3 wickets for 38 and payed his part in derailing Pakistan in their first innings. (The Telegraph)

James Anderson's fellow England pacer Stuart Broad has come out with his statement against Michael Vaughan's recent criticism against James Anderson ahead of the second Test at Headingley. 

England faced a crushing defeat against Pakistan in the first Test at Lord's. Vaughan said after this defeat that England should go in with one of the two senior England pacers in the next game. As it turned out, however, both Anderson and Broad are playing currently in the second Test match and conjugated for 6 wickets in bowling Pakistan out for a paltry 174 in their first innings. 

"I don't think he's got much insight into the England changing room," Broad said after play. "I don't think the players talk to him about cricket or what's going on in the changing room. I think it was a wild guess. It's personal columns, it's radio shows which need likes and airtime isn't it."

"I called him. I'm friends with Vaughany. He was a fantastic captain to me, he gave me a great opportunity and I like sharing a glass of wine with him, he's great company. I called him and expressed my disappointment and he had his opinions on the headlines. I'm very open to criticism and I'm not going to hold a personal grudge, particularly if I feel like I deserve it but I didn't feel like I deserved that last week."

Broad didn't think the criticism had stung him into action but did admit that he felt under more pressure ahead of this Test. "I respect everyone's opinion most of the time, especially when it's fair. I've come under criticism a lot in my career and a lot of it has been justified. This time, it did anger me a little bit as I thought it was unfair and a bit targeted.

"Two Tests ago I got eight wickets in Christchurch, I've been beating the bat, I've been feeling in good rhythm. I felt like the criticism this week was unjustified. It did put me under a bit more pressure going into this game but part and parcel of our job is being able to deliver under pressure."

Broad did speak about  England's overall performance in the Lord's Test as well which did not go their way.  "As a team we didn't do ourselves justice at Lord's at all so we left angry as players," he said. "It's always frustrating when you do a lot of talking and train hard going into a week and collectively put on a performance like that. We trained very specifically and well here at Headingley and for it to show through was great."

"What we did so much better here than at Lord's, we created pressure from both ends. If someone was in a really good spell, it was backed up at the other end and we starved Pakistan of free-scoring opportunities. When you bowl your good ball, you get the wicket. It almost feels like a complete performance."

England will need to win the Headingley Test match to ensure they draw the series after their bitter defeat in the Lord's Test. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 02 Jun, 2018

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