England bowler Stuart Broad has insisted that he and former Test captain Joe Root remain "great friends" after dismissing speculation that a rift had formed between the pair over his exclusion from the West Indies tour.
Broad and fellow paceman James Anderson, England's top two wicket-takers in Test cricket, were left out of the three-Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year. England proceeded to lose 1-0 in what proved to be Root's final series as captain.
"Joe and I spoke at length when he stood down as captain and I said to him how much he's meant to me as a captain, and what a privilege it was playing under him," Broad told reporters.
"I told him I hope he really enjoys the next few years. He's already a legend of the game ... Joe and I are great friends. I can't fall out with someone because they don't pick me in a team, that would be a bit pathetic."
Broad and Anderson returned to the side for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord's last week and were instrumental in helping the hosts to a five-wicket win in Ben Stokes' first match as captain.
Broad claimed match figures of four wickets for 126 runs – including two in one over in the second innings that turned the match in England's favour – while Anderson took six wickets for 123 runs. Root, meanwhile, was named player of the match for his unbeaten fourth innings century.
"I started this season not knowing if I'd pull on the England shirt again ... it's been one of the most fun weeks we've had as a team," Broad said.
The second Test gets underway at Trent Bridge on Friday, with the third and final match to be played at Headingley starting June 23.
Root guides England to victory against New Zealand
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England's Joe Root celebrates after reaching hi century and 10,000 runs in Test cricket during the Lord's Test against New Zealand on Sunday, June 5, 2022. AFP -
Joe Root scored an unbeaten century to guide England to five-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's on Sunday. AFP -
Joe Root is congratulated by Ben Foakes after reaching his century. Getty -
England's Joe Root scored a match-winning century in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday. AFP -
England's Joe Root and Ben Foakes starred in a century stand to seal brilliant win over world champions New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday. Reuters -
Joe Root scored an unbeaten ton as England sealed a five-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's. Getty -
England's Ben Foakes plays a shot off the bowling of New Zealand's Trent Boult during the fourth day of the test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground in London, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo / Kirsty Wigglesworth) -
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson (C) looks on as England's Ben Foakes (R) runs between the wickets on the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground in London on June 5, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB
