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Broad, Jordan defend Stokes' sledging

England players insist day two scenes all part of the Test match 'battle'

Paceman Stuart Broad says sledging is used by some players as a means of getting themselves into “a battle” after England came under fire from some quarters for their role in an at-times ill-tempered day two of the second Test against West Indies in Grenada.

Broad’s pace partner James Anderson gave West Indian centurion Marlon Samuels a send-off upon his dismissal, while Ben Stokes engaged in several exchanges with the batsman, who himself has a chequered history of on-field behaviour.

"If you are the sort of character who likes to feel you are in a battle, then make sure you do that," Broad said.

"There's no point sitting back.

"I know the International Cricket Council are very strict about what you are allowed to do and what looks good on TV, but you can't let that take away from your natural game.

"We've got a few guys in this squad who like to be in a battle and I think you need that in Test cricket.

“When two players are playing with passion for their country, that's good to see."

Samuels seemed to think the verbal warfare directed at him was counter-productive for England.

"It's obvious the English boys don't learn because whenever they talk to me I continue scoring runs," he said.

"I guess they can't help it. I kept on telling him (Stokes) that but I probably have to tell him something different because he's not listening.

"He keeps talking to me but it keeps me motivated and keeps me batting."

England’s Chris Jordan also weighed in on the issue, echoing Broad’s comments but referencing Stokes specifically.

"'Stokesy' likes to get in a battle and what you saw was two cricketers going at it for their country," Jordan said.

"That kind of stuff makes Stokesy tick.

“Any time he's in a battle, all 11 of us are going to back him.

"It's good to see two cricketers going at it without crossing the line. Hopefully (we) see much more of that."

Samuels added just nine runs to his overnight score before edging Anderson to second slip, prompting a thinly-veiled barb from Broad after play.

"Marlon will be very disappointed with the way he got out when he was in a position to go on," the Englishman said.

"We were obviously delighted when he had that big whoosh outside off stump and gave us an opening."

The three-Test series is currently level at 0-0 after the first match in Antigua was drawn.