Break Needed for Broken Broad

The method of Stuart Broad’s dismissal courtesy of West Indian wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin was more a case of ‘limped out’ than the ‘run out’ recorded in the scorebooks, as England suffered a 27 run defeat in the first of the three match Twenty20 series in Barbados yesterday.

The England captain’s exit not only typified his side’s performance but arguably the winter of discontent suffered by English cricket which can’t be forgotten soon enough.

Nursing a long-term knee injury for which he has regular painkilling injections, Broad ‘tweeted’: “The workload over the winter has got it to a point it needs treatment. 7 days should be fine.”

With the defence of their World T20 crown in Bangladesh on the horizon, questions must be asked about the frequency of matches that their premier all-rounder, and arguably best bowler, is participating in.

The fact that Broad has played five Ashes tests, six ODI matches and four T20 internationals since late November must speak for itself.

It is still the test match arena which must take precedence for the ECB, likewise for the 27 year old Broad, who should look after himself a bit more if the authorities aren’t going to do it for him.

Broad clearly needs physical and mental rest after the fatigue of the past four months and will join fellow Trinitarian Joe Root (broken thumb) on the treatment table, in what could be disguised as a blessing for the mid-term future of England cricket.

Few men attempt all three forms of the game and even fewer succeed; however Broad and Root are integral to the overall set up.

Eoin Morgan will captain the England ship for the foreseeable future – maybe even to the sub-continent – and it may well may have to sink a bit more before riding the wave of the forthcoming hectic summer schedule.