Stuart Broad gutted with Durham drop for Tests: England set for final visit amid struggles
STUART BROAD admitted he would be disappointed if Durham were to drop off the Test roster, insisting it will be a significant blow to England’s players and the game in the north.
The fast bowler has fond memories of the Riverside having produced his Test best 11-121 at Chester-le-Street in the Ashes of 2013.
But with the venue struggling to make Tests pay and admitting they will not bid for more from the ECB, this week’s second Investec Test against Sri Lanka looks set to be their last.
“I think we have won all five out of five Test matches as an England side here and it has always been an enjoyable place to play for me,” he said. “It would be a big shame if we didn’t come back.
“Durham have been a brilliant County Championship side for a number of years in my cricketing career, winning it a few times, and they’ve produced quite a few England players who have changed the result for the England team.
Durham will hope the match goes the duration in order to maximise returns and Broad at least gave them some hope, predicting that Sri Lanka will put up a better show than in the first Test at Headingley.
“The weather looks set fair for the weekend, with it being a bank holiday weekend hopefully people will come in and buy some tickets late on and come and see the players play,” said Broad.
“We’re in a pretty good place but I think it was a good decision to enforce the follow-on at Headingley in that we didn’t give Sri Lanka time to talk about where they could play better second innings.
“They have had that time now so I think this will be quite a hotly contested game.”