England paceman Stuart Broad is "frustrated, angry and gutted" after missing out on selection for the first Test against West Indies at the Rose Bowl.
Broad was England's leading wicket-taker in the 2019-20 series victory in South Africa and the drawn Ashes series with Australia last year.
There was no place in the side for the 34-year-old in the first of three Tests versus the Windies, though, as James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood got the nod.
England's second-highest Test wicket-taker is at a loss to understand why he was left out in Southampton, missing out on a home Test for the first time since 2012.
He told Sky Sports: "I'm not a particularly emotional person but I've found the last couple of days quite tough.
"To say I was disappointed would be an understatement; you're disappointed if you drop your phone and the screen breaks.
"I'm frustrated, angry and gutted. It's difficult to understand. I've probably bowled the best I've ever bowled the last couple of years, I felt it was my shirt. I was in the team for the Ashes and going to South Africa and winning there.
Broad revealed he had asked national selector Ed Smith why he was not included.
View from the hospitality tent (my hotel balcony.) Lads battling hard in tremendous English bowling conditions. pic.twitter.com/dbUWCFBWCr
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 9, 2020
He added: "I spoke to Ed Smith last night, he said he was involved in picking the 13 and this side was picked purely for this pitch. I wanted clarification on my future and I was given pretty positive feedback going forward.
"So yes, I was frustrated in the fact that I felt like I deserved a spot in the team."
Broad knows his omission shows the strength in depth England can call upon.
"You can't argue the bowlers walking on that field don't deserve to play," Broad said. "Everyone deserves to play. Chris Woakes, Sam Curran were bowling really well and probably deserve to be in the XI.
"It's just annoying when it's not you that's in that XI. Very rarely do you get guys fit and available for each Test match. That's where selection has been tricky.
"It's great to see strength and depth in the fast bowling ranks. It's the only way that England cricket moves forward and gets better. And with high competition in squads it keeps the standard high. Everyone is under pressure for their spots."
