After Usman Khawaja-led Australian batting line-up frustrated England bowlers on Day 2 of the ongoing first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the Three Lions' premier pacer Stuart Broad unleashed on the pitch prepared for the Test match. The right-arm lanky pacer deemed the Edgbaston pitch 'characterless' and 'soulless' as England bowlers toiled hard on Day 2 with no significant outcome.
"How can I be polite? It's a very slow, low surface that saps the energy out of the ball, would be the nice way to put it," Broad told the broadcasters.
"It's been pretty characterless so far - a bit soulless. But ultimately you can only judge it towards the end of a Test match and see how it develops," he added.
Usman Khawaja struck a magnificent century to keep Australia in good stead despite early jolts as England bowlers left frustrated on Day 2. When the chips were down Khawaja paired with Alex Carey and steered Australia to a commanding 311/5 at the end of Day 2's play. With the team tottering at 220/5, the duo stitched together a 91-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
By the end of Day's play, Khawaja was unbeaten at 126 off 279 with Carey by his side who too was unscathed at 52 off 80 as Australia still trail by 82 runs. While Khawaja cracked 14 fours and two sixes, Carey belted seven boundaries and a maximum.
Broad highlighted the slowness of the Edgbaston wicket that didn't allow English bowlers to create more chances on Day 2.
"It's certainly one of the slowest pitches I can remember bowling on in England. I think there was a stat that, for the Aussies in the first 10 overs, it moved the least-ever recorded. It has certainly been hard work for the seamers," Broad continued.
"Ultimately, we're looking to entertain and have fun and get the crowd jumping, and it's quite a difficult pitch to get plays-and-misses on and nicks to slip and stuff… these sorts of pitches are your worst nightmare when Steve Smith walks to the crease, to be honest," he added.
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