Broad had the right to stay, say greats

Cricket experts feel that Stuart Broad was well within his right to stand his ground after edging one on day three of the first Ashes Test at Trentbridge here.

"It's the umpire's decision to give you out and you can't blame Broad for not walking, hats off I say if you nick it to 1st slip and stand your ground and get given not out" tweeted spin legend Shane Warne.

Broad, while on 37 and England on 297 for 7, edged an Ashton Agar ball to Michael Clarke after it clipped wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's gloves but umpire Aleem Dar gave Broad not out, leaving the Aussies shocked.

"The way people are reacting is that Broad is the first player ever to hit a ball and not walk," former England captain Michael Vaughan said.

"To me, it has to be the umpire (at fault). A player is allowed to stand his ground," former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath.

The decision review system was also not an option for Australia as they had already used their stipulated two reviews unsuccessfully. Clarke exchanged words with umpire Dar, while coach Darren Lehmann shook his head in astonishment.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who scored a fifty in the first innings, also defended Broad's decision. "Each and every player that plays for their country, club side, county, province or franchise has the opportunity to wait for the decision the umpire makes, and you respect the umpire's decision," he was quoted as saying by BBC.

Broad's father, Chris Broad backed Broad's decision and told BBC that instances like these happen in Ashes.

"Stuart didn't walk and I think most players want to see an umpire give a decision. The umpire gave a not out decision, you get on with the game," said Chris Broad.