Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor has come down heavily on England team management for their decision to leave outpace veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson from the Ashes 2021-22 opener at the Gabba.
Taylor feels England made a massive blunder in resting two of their highest ever Test wicket-takers despite the pitch offering the seamers nice pace and bounce to go with the seam movement.
England confirmed leaving the Broad-Anderson duo from the Gabba Test, citing workload concerns in what is effectively a five-match Test series played inside six weeks.
Indications are that both the pacers will be back for the D/N Test in Adelaide, starting December 16, a pink-ball affair that should aid swing for both the pacers.
But Taylor questioned whether England had been rigid with their plans in the build-up to the series, making a case for their selection in Gabba as the track was helpful to the seamers. Many felt that Anderson would have loved bowling on a gloomy Day 1 when Australian pacers bundled out the England batting for just 147.
“They’ve made life a little bit difficult for themselves by doing what they’ve done. It’s almost like they’ve thrown all their hopes on this Adelaide Test by not playing either of them and getting caught short.
This punt of keeping them fresh for Adelaide needs to come off because if it doesn’t the Ashes are just about gone,”
Taylor said on Wide World of Sports.
For Taylor, it was a huge risk to leave out the two most experienced and skilful pacers, something that England paid heavily for. England conceded a massive first-innings lead of 278 and ended up losing by nine wickets at the Gabba. It was England’s fifth loss at the venue in six outings since the turn of the century.
If Broad and Anderson are set to return to Adelaide, England will have a few major selection headaches. While Ollie Robinson looks set to retain his spot, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood are under scrutiny for their indifferent performance at the Gabba, more so Wood. England may also rethink the spot of left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who was taken for plenty by rampaging Aussie batters.
