Warne labels ECB call on Broad 'a joke'

Spin great Shane Warne has labelled England's decision to force a fit Stuart Broad to miss a County Championship match "a joke".

Forming a formidable pace partnership with Australia speedster James Pattinson in Nottinghamshire's domestic season-opener last week, Broad sent down 21 overs to help the Outlaws to a 10-wicket win over Leicestershire.

But as part of an England and Wales Cricket Board management plan, the 102-Test veteran had been slated to sit out the Midlands county's match against Durham beginning Friday.

Broad and his Notts coach Peter Moores put in a request for the ECB to reconsider but director of cricket Andrew Strauss refused.

It's a decision that's left Warne scratching his head, with the former Australia leg-spinner describing it as a "cotton-wool" approach.

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"I reckon that's a joke – they've got to play," the 47-year-old told British media. "The only way bowlers get better is to find their rhythm early (in the season).

"So if they want to play, then play. I can't believe Broady's been told not to. Worry about the rest of the summer later.

"It is cotton-wool stuff and the player is going to get the hump. You want a happy player. Get him playing.

"I would have played. If someone would have said to me, 'You're ­resting this game' I would have said 'No' and argued my case. And I would hope that common sense would prevail.

"He knows his body and he knows what he needs to be right.

"If there is a one-dayer down the track he needs to miss or have off, then so be it. But he doesn't play one-day cricket, so even more reason for him to play."

Broad is a centrally-contracted England player meaning it is Strauss who has the final say on his availability at domestic level.

Having not played for England's limited-overs sides in the previous 12 months, Broad is unlikely to be required at national level until July when their home Test summer gets underway.

But with seven Tests in just nine weeks coming against South Africa and West Indies, plus an Ashes series and a tour of New Zealand looming after that, Strauss stressed the need to manage Broad carefully.

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"A plan for availability for the early-season fixtures has been put together in consultation with the players, and counties were made aware of the likely schedule back in January," Strauss said.

"We have to recognise the demands of the international programme over the next 12 months, with seven Tests in (nine) weeks from July followed by another seven in Australia and New Zealand over the winter.

"We have to manage all our players and especially our bowlers accordingly."

Coming off four wickets in Nottinghamshire's first-up Championship victory, Broad admitted he had pushed Strauss to rethink the ECB's original plan for him.

But given what's on the horizon, the 30-year-old conceded a long-term approach has merit.

"It is a tricky one," Broad told Talksport radio. "'Straussy' won't mind me saying I spoke to him, (and) I wanted to play this week.

"I felt in a really good rhythm and wanted to carry that on.

"But I think as a player sometimes you do get in that short-term mindset - 'I want to play now, I want to play now' - and the ECB very much control workloads throughout a whole year."

"They're going to want their bowlers come Boxing Day (against Australia), come the Sydney Test in the new year.

"So I can certainly see an argument for both sides."

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2017-18 International Fixtures:

Men's Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night)

Third Test Perth TBC, December 14-18

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test)

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14

Second ODI Gabba, January 19

Third ODI SCG, January 21

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21