WI vs AUS: Stuart Broad takes a jibe at Australia's batting line-up - 'Most muddled top three in my lifetime'

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has criticized Australia's current Test cricket top order batting lineup, calling it the "most muddled" he has ever seen, while speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast. Broad, who has played 40 Ashes Tests, compared the current lineup to Australia's golden era featuring Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, and Ricky Ponting , highlighting a significant decline in quality.

Australia's current top order consists of 38-year-old Usman Khawaja , teenager Sam Konstas with a Test average of 18.25, and all-rounder Cameron Green at number three position, averaging just 16.66.

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"I'm not out of place in thinking it's the most muddled top three in my lifetime. I've grown up with Hayden, Langer and Ponting," Broad stated during the podcast while analyzing Australia's top-order struggles during their West Indies tour.

Broad specifically questioned Green's position as first drop, stating: "Cameron Green at three... he's a six, isn't he? Or a five. Anyone who used to take off stump guard would really excite me as an opening bowler because they play at fifth stump and don't know where their off stump is."

Despite his criticism, Broad showed understanding towards newcomer Konstas, who debuted in the Boxing Day Test. "Konstas is young and learning his way, those pitches in the Caribbean have been quite tricky, so I imagine he'll get a run (in the Ashes). I watched him net before the World Test Championship at Lord's and even though he didn't play, the crunch off the bat that you hear was impressive, but he's got a couple of low scores and you start to question yourself a little bit. But I think he (Konstas) is there to stay," he said.

Regarding Marnus Labuschagne 's recent omission from the starting XI, Broad expressed confidence in his eventual return. "Ultimately with Labuschagne, I know he's struggled for a couple of years, but he's a good player. So I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back into the frame at some stage."

Looking towards the upcoming Ashes series, Broad emphasized the need for Australia to strengthen their top order. "I can't see this being the same top three for the Ashes. I'm trying not to look that far ahead, particularly with English cricket, but the Aussie selectors generally get it right and they can't be watching the top three currently in the Caribbean going, That top three is amazing. They need to find a way to protect Smith and Head at four and five, who are unbelievable, and Carey is playing great at seven," he said.

Broad concluded his assessment by highlighting the importance of protecting Steve Smith 's batting position: "You can't have Steve Smith in so early every game. One of Australia's greatest strengths is when 'Smudger' arrives with a 35-over old ball and it's doing nothing... so they need to find a way to do that."