Stuart Broad has revealed how Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper played ‘peacemaker’ between him and Joe Root over a glass of red wine.
The Championship play-off semi-final between Broad’s Forest and Root’s Sheffield United was the first time that the pair had spent time together since the latter had resigned as England Test captain.
And with one of the last calls he agreed to as skipper being the axing of Broad and James Anderson from the squad to tour the West Indies, things could have been frosty. But the 36-year-old seamer reckons losing a friend over selection would have been ‘pathetic.’
“Joe and I spoke at length when he stood down as captain and I said to him how much he's meant to me as a captain, and what a privilege it was playing under him,” said Broad.
“Obviously I spent a great night with him at Forest at the play-off semi-final when we beat Sheffield United.
“Afterwards we were drinking red wine with Steve Cooper in his office until the early hours. I had to apologise to Carrie (his wife) that he came home a bit late.
“Joe and I are great friends. And I've always been someone who can distinguish between business and pleasure.
“I can't fall out with someone because they don't pick me in a team, that would be a bit pathetic.” Broad and Root will now head to Nottingham in a bid to pick up where they left off at Lord’s and continue the party vibe in the city.
And with the England dressing room already a fun place to be this summer, Broad just wants to keep things going on his home turf.
“To start the Stokes-McCullum era with a win is huge for us,” added Broad. “To chase 277 is awesome for us as a group. It's been one of the most fun weeks we've had as a team.
“We need to ride that wave all summer. I don’t think anyone at Lord's can argue it's not been fun, the style of cricket, edge of the seat at times, the crowd has got involved and it's something we want to take to Trent Bridge.
“It's a ground I always look forward to playing at but this Test particularly, and what the city has experienced recently with Forest getting promoted, the party atmosphere has started and I get the sense the city will want to come and support the England team and see it continue.”
