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'Characterless and Soulless'- Stuart Broad Slams Edgbaston Pitch After Hectic Day At Office

image-lj0zf0agStuart Broad scalped two important wickets for England [Source: AP]

Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad assessed England's advantageous position at the end of the second day's play on the lifeless Edgbaston pitch, which he considered one of the slowest he has encountered in his 94 Test matches on home soil.

Australia began the day on 14/0, following England's surprise declaration at 393/8 on the previous day. Despite England's early breakthroughs, Usman Khawaja displayed resilience and formed crucial partnerships. Australia currently trails England by 82 runs.

Broad created a wave of excitement at Edgbaston by dismissing his old rival David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne in consecutive deliveries, causing Australia to stumble to 67 for three on day two.

Reflecting on the day's play, Broad expressed his satisfaction, acknowledging the challenging nature of the slow and turgid pitch.

"I think it was a pretty good day actually. It has been a slow, turgid pitch so to be still 82 runs ahead of Australia with Pat Cummins and the tail next, we are pretty happy," Stuart Broad was quoted as saying to Sky Sports.

Broad also highlighted the potential for quick breakthroughs in the first hour of play on the following day and noted the pitch's lack of assistance on day two.

"It's a very slow, low surface that saps the energy out of the ball, would be the nice way to put it. It's been pretty characterless so far - a bit soulless. It's certainly one of the slowest pitches I can remember bowling on in England. I think there was a stat that, for the Aussies in the first 10 overs, it moved the least-ever recorded. It has certainly been hard work for the seamers," he added.

Playing his first Test since 2021, Moeen Ali contributed by claiming the wickets of Travis Head and Cameron Green on day two. Broad expressed hope that the pitch would deteriorate further as the Test match progresses, as England's main objective was to force Australia to bat last.

"Ultimately, our aim is for Australia to bat last on that and for us to bowl last on that and hopefully it keeps deteriorating,"  he concluded. 

The England speedster emphasized the importance of making the visitors bat last and hoped for the pitch to continue deteriorating, creating favourable conditions for the home team's bowling attack.