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“The most muddled”: England pacer shares his views on Australia’s top-order

Thursday, 10-Jul-202510 hrs ago
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Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has taken aim at Australia’s top order, comprising Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas and Cameron Green, calling it the most 'muddled' he has come across in his life. Usman Khawaja has struggled to bring about the momentum while Green exhibited positive signs, knocking off a second-innings half-century against West Indies in Grenada in the ongoing Test series.

In view of Marnus Labuschane’s poor form, Australia shuffled their top order, bringing in Sam Konstas to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja and deploying Cameron Green at no. 3. Broad, however, backed young Konstas but advocated for the return of Marnus Labuschagne

“I’m not out of place in thinking it’s the most muddled top three in my lifetime. Because I’ve grown up with Hayden, Langer and Ponting. But I think Usman is struggling. Cameron Green at three … he’s a six, isn’t he? Or a five. Anyone who used to take off stump guard would really excite me as an opening bowler because they play at fifth stump and don’t know where their off stump is," Broad said on The Grade Cricketer. 

“Ultimately with Labuschagne, I know he’s struggled for a couple of years, but he’s a good player, so I’d be surprised if he doesn’t come back into the frame at some stage."

“Konstas is young and learning his way, those pitches in the Caribbean have been quite tricky, so I imagine he’ll get a run."

“I watched him net before the World Test Championship at Lord’s and even though he didn’t play, the crunch off the bat that you hear (was impressive), but he’s got a couple of low scores and you start to question yourself a little bit. But I think he (Konstas) is there to stay.”

Broad stressed the need for the top order to step up in order to protect the middle order. 

“They need to find a way to protect Smith and Head at four and five who are unbelievable and Carey is playing great at seven. You can’t have Steve Smith in so early every game. One of Australia’s greatest strengths is when ‘Smudger’ arrives with a 35-over old ball and it’s doing nothing … so they need to find a way to do that,” he said. 

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