Stuart Broad on first Test omission: "I've been frustrated, angry, gutted because it is a hard decision to understand"

England's second-highest Test wicket-taker was left mystified by the decision to leave him out of the start of the West Indies series

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Stuart Broad has been left "angry and gutted" by the decision to leave him out of England's first Test against West Indies at The Ageas Bowl.

James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were preferred in a lightning-quick attack ahead of the 34-year-old by captain Ben Stokes.

But conditions on the opening two days in Southampton, which saw humid conditions and overcast skies would have suited the Nottingham seamer.

Broad enjoyed a stellar Ashes series last summer, taking 23 wickets at 26.65 and was the leading bowler during the 3-1 success over South Africa in the winter.

"I'm not a particularly emotional person but I've found the last couple of days quite tough," Broad told Sky Sports of the decision.

"To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. I've been frustrated, angry, gutted because it is a hard decision to understand. 

England and West Indies take knee before start of first Test

"I've probably bowled the best I've bowled in the last couple of years. I felt like it was my shirt. I've been in the team particularly in the Ashes and going to South Africa and winning there.

"I was frustrated in the fact that I felt I deserved a spot in the team, as would everyone else. Chris Woakes, Sam Curran are all bowling really well and all deserve to be in the team but aren't. 

"It is hard to take but also I am quite pleased I feel frustrated and angry because if I didn't I'd have a different decision to make. 

"I don't think I've got anything to prove. England know what I can do, the selectors know what I can do. When I get that opportunity again you can bet that I'll be on the money.

England's second most successful Test bowler was informed on the eve of the game of his omission, and has since sought further clarification from national selector Ed Smith to include him in the 13-man squad, but not the starting XI.

"I found out about 6pm the night before the game," he explained. "Stokesy told me just go with extra pace on the conditions.

^{Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and James Anderson have been preferred in the attack}

"I spoke with Ed Smith last night and he said he's involved in picking the 13 and they picked purely for this pitch. 

"I wanted clarifications on the future going forward and I was given pretty positive feedback in going forward."

Though Broad missed out on selection this week, two Tests remain against West Indies before a there matches against Pakistan.

Therefore, there is likely to be plenty of opportunities to claim the 15 wickets which would take him to 500 Test scalps - even if he is cold to the idea of reaching the landmark

"I'm not really bothered about those sorts of milestones," Broad stated. "To me now I'll be doing as much as I can in the next week to make sure I am available for Old Trafford. 

"The chairman of selectors made it clear that they're picking pitch for pitch and the decision to growth extra pace on this pitch is based on being here at The Ageas Bowl on this pitch. 

^{Stuart Broad enjoyed a fine 2019}

"That means if I get to Old Trafford and it looks like it might seam from full of a length I might have a chance."

Former England captain Nasser Hussain was impressed by Broad's honesty and expects the hosts to pay for leaving him on the sidelines.

"Great to have an interview like that," he said. "Sometimes you get a sportsman come on and go 'oh it's a team game, I fully back the XI out there'. That's what makes Stuart the cricketer that he is, he has fire in his belly.

"Archer has three five-wicket hauls in seven Test matches, the last time Bess played he got a five-fer. Woakes gets them at 22, 23 apiece in this country he is phenomenal. Wood took nine in Johannesburg. Sam Curran never lets England down.

"It was a very difficult decision. I think they made the wrong decision but the next three days will tell us."

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