England pacer Stuart Broad eyeing ODI return for 2019 Cricket World Cup

Out-of-favour fast bowler Stuart Broad is eyeing a return to the England ODI squad and is eager to represent the country at the 2019 World Cup which will be played in the home conditions.

Battling through an ankle injury, Stuart Broad is an important member of the English side, albeit in Test matches. The stalwart is two Test matches short of 100 which in itself justifies his importance to the England side through the years.

The former world no.1 pacer had a pretty average series with the ball against Pakistan. He picked up 13 wickets in the four-match Test series which ended in a draw 2-2.

After England’s shocking exit from the group stages of the 2015 World Cup, the England Cricket Board (ECB) made some sweeping changes to their tactics and game plan in the ODI format.

The change has worked for England and it is clearly seen in the form of results. Eoin Morgan’s men have prospered lately in the ODI format and have registered a couple of series win against teams like Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Broad made his last appearance for England against South Africa in five-match ODI series in February. He only managed to pick up a single wicket in his two outings. After which, he was overlooked by the selectors for the home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer. Broad also didn’t find a place in the 50-over squad touring Bangladesh where England are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series.

The upcoming 2017 Champions Trophy tournament will be hosted by England and Wales. The 50-over World Cup will also be held in England in 2019. Keeping this in mind, the Nottingham-born fast bowler is determined to do everything necessary to fight his way back into the English side.

"I'm desperate, as I think every England cricketer would be, to play at the 2019 World Cup in England. It is a long way away but it will creep up,” he said as quoted by Reuters.

"The tricky part of playing a lot of Test cricket, I've played 48 on the bounce now, are you don't actually get a lot of time to play white-ball cricket so it's quite hard to keep up with the standard in a game that moves forward so quickly."

He added, "I'm trying to find more time to play white-ball cricket. I've got a bit of a proven track record with the white ball, my stats are pretty good in the 50-over stuff, I just need to play a bit more of it."

Stuart Broad has taken 178 wickets for England in 121 ODIs at a decent average of 30.13.