Stuart Broad 'angry and confused' at being axed by England in a five-minute phone call

Stuart Broad says he has been left "angry and confused" by England's decision to axe him from their Test squad for the series against West Indies.

Broad and James Anderson, England's all-time leading test wicket takers with 1,177 victims between them, were left out of the 16-man squad for the three-Test tour which starts next month.

The selection panel comprising Andrew Strauss, captain Joe Root and interim head coach Paul Collingwood said they were seeking a new approach after the team's 4-0 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

Broad ended that series in fine fashion, taking 11 wickets in the final two Tests, but has been overlooked as England turned to new blood in the form of Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher.

"I always try to find a positive in the hand that has been dealt to me," Broad wrote in his Mail on Sunday column. "To be honest, though, that's been quite tricky this time because the decision to leave me out of the tour of West Indies has hit me pretty hard.

"Not to big it up too much but it has affected my sleep. I said to my partner Mollie (King) one morning that my body felt sore. She suggested that would be stress.

"No, I can't pretend I am as good as gold, because I am not. It would be wrong to act like everything's OK.

"Has this episode changed the way I think about my career? I just can't answer that at the moment. I spoke to my mum Carole on Friday because I am waking up more confused and angrier with each passing day, and she just advised me to take time, step away from the game for a bit and figure things out."

Strauss said he had spoken to Broad and Anderson after they were omitted and that he hoped they would understand the rationale behind the decision.

However, Broad - who revealed that the news of his