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England pacer Stuart Broad will not be travelling with his team to Pakistan for a three-match Test series scheduled for later this year. The 36-year-old has decided against touring the subcontinent citing personal reasons. Notably, England are due to play three Tests in Pakistan in December. Before that, the three Lions will set up a training camp in Abu Dhabi to get used to Pakistan-like conditions.
While a full-fledged England Test team is expected to travel to Pakistan for the three-match Test series, Broad will be opting out as he and his partner Mollie King are expecting their first child around the same time (mid-November) . The baby’s due date clashes with a training camp in Abu Dhabi, and missing that warm-up period — which includes a game between England and England Lions — would mean he would not be match-ready for the series.
According to reports, the pacer came to the conclusion after giving it a long thought. “Broad is understood to have thought long and hard about his decision, not least because he enjoyed a resurgent summer with England in which he finished as the leading wicket-taker in a Test team that won six out of seven matches,” reported The Daily Mail.
“The Nottinghamshire player hinted he was swaying towards withdrawing his name in The Mail on Sunday last month when he said there was a decision to be made, having prioritised his public job with England over his private life throughout a 15-year international career,” the report further claimed.
Notably, Broad made a turnaround after rumours of his retirement made round when the pacer was left out of an important overseas tour by the Joe Root-Chris Silverwood management six months ago. But now, he is more than just enthusiastic about playing under the new management. In fact, Broad had a terrific summer where he scalped as many as 29 wickets and took his career tally to 566, surpassing Australian great Glenn McGrath.
