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"Most Muddled": Stuart Broad Takes A Hit At Australia's Batting Ahead Of The Ashes

Soumyajit Dutta

Stuart Broad and Pat Cummins [Source: @ICC/X.com]Stuart Broad and Pat Cummins [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Despite Australia's confident march in West Indies with two straight wins in the Test series, retired England pace great Stuart Broad has launched a pre-Ashes critique of Australia's top-order batting, labelling it the most confused he can recall. 

Broad, a long-time Ashes antagonist who bowed out after the 2023 series, specifically questioned veteran opener Usman Khawaja's form and Cameron Green's suitability at number three, despite Green's recent half-century against the West Indies.

Stuart Broad Scathes Australia In Pre-Ashes Critique

Notably, Stuart Broad also advocated for the return of Marnus Labuschagne to the lineup, directly challenging the backing given to the current top three by coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins, following inconsistent performances since the World Test Championship. 

“I’m not out of place in thinking it’s the most muddled top three in my lifetime. I’ve grown up with Hayden, Langer and Ponting... But I think Usman is struggling. Cameron Green at three … he’s a six, isn’t he? Or a five. Anyone who used to take off stump guard would really excite me as an opening bowler because they play at fifth stump and don’t know where their off stump is," Broad said as quoted by Fox Cricket.

While acknowledging Labuschagne's own recent struggles, Broad stated, “Ultimately with Labuschagne, I know he’s struggled for a couple of years, but he’s a good player, so I’d be surprised if he doesn’t come back into the frame at some stage."

Regarding the young Sam Konstas, Broad offered some tempered observation but highlighted the pressure of low scores.

“Konstas is young and learning his way, those pitches in the Caribbean have been quite tricky, so I imagine he’ll get a run (in the Ashes)... I watched him net before the World Test Championship at Lord’s and even though he didn’t play, the crunch off the bat that you hear (was impressive), but he’s got a couple of low scores and you start to question yourself a little bit. But I think he (Konstas) is there to stay," Broad added.

Broad On Smith-Head Concern

Broad's core concern, expressed on The Grade Cricketer, is the failure to shield Steve Smith and Travis Head.

“They need to find a way to protect Smith and Head at four and five who are unbelievable and Carey is playing great at seven... You can’t have Steve Smith in so early every game. One of Australia’s greatest strengths is when ‘Smudger’ arrives with a 35-over old ball and it’s doing nothing … so they need to find a way to do that," Broad added.

He strongly predicted change before the Ashes, concluding, “I can’t see this being the same top three for the Ashes... the Aussie selectors generally get it right and they can’t be watching the top three currently in the Caribbean going, ‘That top three is amazing’," said Broad.

Notably, the Ashes is set to begin in Perth on November 21 and will end with the last Test on January 4 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.