Stuart Broad predicted Ashes moment with confident Marnus Labuschagne vow

17 June 2023 , 12:49

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Stuart Broad celebrates with Joe Root after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

England star Stuart Broad had Edgbaston rocking on day two of the first Ashes Test when he dismissed nemesis David Warner and number one ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne in consecutive deliveries.

Much of the pre-series talk had focused on Broad renewing his battle with Warner, having got him out seven times in ten innings in the 2019 Ashes as the Aussie opener averaged a paltry 9.50. However, Broad was busy ahead of this series working on a new delivery designed to target Labuschagne and Steve Smith in particular.

The 36-year-old developed a new out swinger while working with Nottinghamshire's assistant coach Kevin Shine, who was previously the ECB's lead fast bowling coach. Broad tested it out in the County Championship and warned Australia about his new variation back in April.

"It's designed, to be honest, for Marnus and Smith," Broad said. "It's the reason I wanted to change something, to try and bring their outside edge in more.

"My stock delivery will always be wobble seam trying to nip back on off stump, because I think that's the most dangerous ball. But to those guys, I think dragging them across with away swing is important.

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"So this action tweak is pretty much designed at those two, and it was good to see it really swinging away today." And it was the out swinger which ultimately dismissed Labuschagne for a golden duck, with the ball moving away and catching the edge.

Jonny Bairstow took an excellent one-handed catch and Edgbaston erupted as Broad had his second wicket in as many balls. "There's swing from Broad, he talked about trying the out swinger to Labuschagne and Smith," former England captain Michael Atherton said on commentary for Sky Sports.

Labuschagne was out for a golden duck at Edgbaston

"He's produced one and has got Labuschagne first ball." Ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting added: "What a delivery and what a catch... Jonny Bairstow to his right, fully outstretched [it] goes right in the pouch.

"Class execution from Broad. Ten overs in and England have got this ball swinging. He talked about it [the out swinger] and he executed. Labuschagne drawn into a false shot and what a catch Jonny Bairstow."

The wicket left Australia 29-2 after England had declared on 393-8 on day one. Joe Root led the way with a brilliant unbeaten 118, while Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley both made important half-centuries.

Matthew Cooper