"They deserve better..." Nasser Husaain reacts to Broad-Anderson snub

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes that the legendary duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad "deserved better" following their shock snub from the Test team for the tour of the Caribbean Islands.

Winds of change are blowing in full force in the English cricket ecosystem following the Ashes debacle, with interim managing director Andrew Strauss wielding the axe on managing director Ashley Giles, head coach and selector Chris Silverwood and assistant coach Graham Thorpe.

Prior to the announcement of the squad for the three-match series in the Caribbean next month, it was expected that a majority of batters who featured in the Ashes this winter would be dropped.

And, while it did happen with Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Jos Buttler snubbed out from the squad, it came as a shock to everyone when the news of Broad and Anderson being dropped became public.

Reacting to the shocking omission, Hussain told Sky Sports, "I really feel for Broad and Anderson, and I hope this isn't the end because I think they deserve better. I was a little bit surprised. Obviously, there was talk about maybe one of them being left out, but not both, so it was a big call from Strauss." 

"It looks like he has taken the long-term approach to look at what life is going to be like after them."

Broad and Anderson have been the heartbeat of the English Test side for the last 15 years. The duo have claimed a total of 1147 wickets between them and have shown no signs of dwindling form with age.

In fact, Anderson has aged like a fine wine. Since turning 30, the Lancashire seamer has claimed a whopping 372 wickets at 23.85. 

Broad, on the other hand, has been at his peak in the past two years. He claimed 13 wickets across three Tests in Australia, including a five-wicket-haul in Hobart.

Hussain added by saying, "If their stats were dwindling then it would be a fair decision, but they're bowling as well as ever. Some opposition batsmen will be pleased that they're not on the team sheet."

"I'd love to see them back in the summer because I know that Broad and Anderson with a point to prove are a real handful." he cited.

Meanwhile, the interim managing director addressed the media on Wednesday, where he once again made it clear that it is not the end of the road for the veteran duo.

Strauss said that he completely understands the disappointment that Broad and Anderson would be feeling at the snub. However, the former skipper has urged the duo to channels the frustration into motivation and come out fit and firing during the home summer.

"It is the start of a new cycle and it is a refresh and a reset and that dressing room will feel very different without Broad and Anderson in it over the course of the tour but I wouldn't in any way want people to think that Broad and Anderson aren't thoroughly professional in everything they do in an England shirt," said Strauss.

"That's why they've been as successful as they have been in England colours and they've still got a lot to offer both on and off the field," he added.

"They're both very disappointed, and that doesn't surprise me; they're very passionate about playing for England. So, I hope that they understand the rationale for the decision and I hope also they understand that no one is saying this is the end of the road for either of them," added Strauss, who led England to the No.1 ranking in Test cricket in 2011.

"I suppose there's a danger (they see it as moving on), but I was trying to be as clear as I can with them. And I suppose their job right at the moment is to get themselves fired up and ready to go for the start of the international summer in June," he signed off.

The upcoming series will be the first time since the 2008 Wellington Test that an English team will play a five-day game in the absence of both Anderson and Broad.

The Test series will start in Antigua from March 08.