England’s Test specialist, Stuart Broad, has named the toughest batsmen he has bowled to in his glittering career.
Since making his debut in 2007, Broad has clinched 485 wickets in his Test career thus far. His tally is seventh-highest overall, fourth-most amongst pacers and second-most for England behind James Anderson.
The Anderson-Broad duo made life difficult for touring teams for over a decade now, with their unplayable line and lengths in favourable English conditions.
Broad picked Ben Stokes as the best teammate he has played with and named Steve Smith as the toughest batsmen he faced.
“I feel very lucky to have the option to name a few here but, if I thought about three or four, I might get to between 10-15,” Broad told Daily Mail.
“So, being brutally strict, I would have to say Ben Stokes is the best I have played with, for the positive impact he can have on games with bat, ball and in the field,” said Broad.
Stokes turned out to be the hero for English cricket last summer, with his match-winning knock in the finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup.
The all-rounder backed his world cup performances by scoring the most number of runs for England during the Ashes series.
Stokes scored 441 runs during the five-match Test series, including the 135* at the Headingley Test which helped England win by just one wicket.
Meanwhile, with a monumental tally of 774 runs, Smith starred during the Ashes summer by scoring tons at will.
“As for against? I have yet to figure out the best way to bowl at Steve Smith. He makes life tough for bowlers and has a huge hunger for big scores,” said Broad.
Both Stokes and Smith were scheduled to don the pink of Rajasthan Royals during the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the tournament was suspended indefinitely amid COVID-19 lockdown imposed in India and worldwide.
