Chris Broad was a talented batter who played mostly in the second half of the 1980s. Despite lasting for just five years at the highest level, he had a career many would dream of. Chris scored over 1000 runs at a batting average of over 39 in both Tests and ODIs. He was a runner-up in England’s campaign in the ODI World Cup 1987. Tests seemed to be his best forte.
In the longest format of the game, he played some exceptional knocks for England. The best of them came in the Ashes 1986/87, which was England’s last away Ashes win till 2010/11. Batting away from home, he smashed three hundreds and played a key role in England’s series win. It is time to look at how good these innings were that helped England to win the series.
Also Check: Top 3 innings of Chris Broad in ODIs
3. 112 vs Australia, Melbourne
It was the fourth Test of the Ashes 1986/87 between England and Australia. It was the Boxing Day Test between the two teams and the wicket was difficult to bat on. The home side batted first and managed to post just 141 runs on the board. Ian Botham and G Small claimed fifers respectively. The wicket wasn’t easy to bat on.
But Chris was so effortless and batted extremely well in tough conditions. The English opener had the challenge of facing the attack of Merv Hughes, Craig McDermott, Bruce Reid, Steve Waugh, and Peter Sleep. The English batter scored 112 runs in 255 balls. It ensured England got 349 runs on the board. The visiting side won the Test match by an innings and 14 runs.
2. 116 vs Australia, Adelaide
It was the third Test of the series between England and Australia in 1986/87. Adelaide rolled out a flat wicket and it seemed like a draw was on the cards right from the start. No team seemed to push for a win and the batters were happy to score as many runs as they wished. Chris made the most of it and played a good knock.
Batting first, Australia scored 514/5 before declaring their innings. England replied with a score of 455 runs. Broad was the pick of the batters who accumulated 116 runs in 263 balls. His knock included 12 boundaries and a six. In the 2nd innings, he remained unbeaten with a score of 15*(69). The match ended in a draw and England still had the momentum.
1. 162 vs Australia, Perth (WACA)
It was the second Test of the series between Australia and England in the Ashes 1986/87. The match took place in Perth’s old pacy WACA stadium. England had the challenge to bat first and face the heat of the fastest cricket pitch. But Broad did not mind as he was ready to overcome the difficult period. He ended up playing the best innings of his career.
The England star scored 162 runs in 313 balls which included 25 fours. England batted well as a unit as David Gower and Jack Richards scored 136(175) and 133(207). Charles Athey’s 96 helped England to post 592/8 on the board. Unfortunately, the match ended in a draw as the wicket got better to bat on with the progression of the match. Broad bagged the Player of the Match award for his career-best score.
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