Members of a Victorian cricket club have defended controversial English all-rounder Stuart Broad and credited his tough style of play to a season with the club as a teenager.
Commentators and fans have widely criticised Broad's decision not to "walk" after edging a ball in the first Ashes Test and numerous unflattering Facebook pages have since emerged lambasting the 27-year-old.
But at Hoppers Crossing cricket club in Melbourne's west, where Broad spent a season as a teenager, the mood is markedly different.
Sue Said, whose home Broad stayed at while he was in Australia aged 18, is one of many locals quick to defend the player.
“It's a little bit embarrassing to read what us Australians are saying about his sportsmanship,” she said.
“I wonder whether, if the shoe was on the other foot, if the Australian would have walked?”
Hoppers Crossing club president Darren Hellmann said Broad was a talented cricketer who had left Australia tougher than he arrived.
“It really toughens them up because it's not nice out there all the time ... and people are looking for an edge and they'll do whatever to get one,” he said.
Despite the passing of time, Ms Said believed Broad would be the same as she remembered.
“Just a gorgeous young guy when he was with us and he wouldn't have changed .. no way,” she said.
Share
