England star Stuart Broad claims Australia’s Ashes win in 2021-22 is not on his mind as the COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible for business as usual during the series.
Australia cruised to a 4-0 win against England at home but Broad feels strict coronavirus rules left the visitors dealing an unfair loss.
Fast bowler Broad and his teammates were kept in a long-term quarantine and Covid-safe bubble throughout the tour.
Now, as Australia prepare to tour England this year in the first Ashes since the ‘Covid series’, Broad has lit the fuse on a potentially explosive clash with his controversial jibe.
“Nothing was harsher than the last Ashes series. But in my mind I don’t consider it the real Ashes. daily Mail on Thursday.
“Ashes cricket is by definition an elite game with a lot of passion and players at the top of their game.
“There was nothing high-level performance about that series because of the Covid restrictions.
“Not being able to have training facilities, travel, socialize. I have written it as a zero series.
Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have revitalized England as a Test team in the last one year.
Broad does not believe Australia are apt to follow the ultra-aggressive template that England have used in their revival.
“If Australia tries to take us on at our game it will be great for us. If we can play him in a little different way, he can make mistakes and that would be great for us.
“Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja are all guys who like to bat on time and make deliveries. So if we can nudge them away and make them think, ‘Why aren’t we scoring fast? Why are we not taking the game forward?’
“I would love to see Smith dance down the track and watch the sky from one to mid-off at the starting gates. That would be a classic.
Broad urges England to emulate 2005 Ashes success
Broad wants the team to replicate the success of the 2005 Ashes series and inspire fans across the country.
England regained the famous urn for the first time in 18 years in 2005 with a 2–1 series win, widely regarded as one of the team’s greatest achievements in the longest format.
Broad said, “I want the whole series to grip the nation and inspire kids like it did in 2005.”
“I want our players to make positive choices all the time and if there comes a day when we get out for 100, this is it. Unless the next day we come back with the same intent and become more aggressive and have more fun.
(with inputs from Reuters)