Broad coaxed Khawaja into a rare false shot with a delivery that moved slightly in off a good length, with Australia's centurion on 112. Unfortunately for Broad, England and their fans, the delirium did not last long
Stuart Broad admitted to struggling to get past the no ball which ruled out his dismissal of Usman Khawaja on day two of the first Ashes Test.
Broad coaxed Khawaja into a rare false shot with a delivery that moved slightly in off a good length, with Australia's centurion on 112, the ball cannoning into off stump to spark scenes of delight on the pitch and in the Edgbaston stands.
Unfortunately for Broad, England and their fans, the delirium did not last long, as standing umpire Marais Erasmus was soon notified by his colleagues in the TV umpire booth that the bowler had over-stepped.
It was only by a fraction, perhaps a couple of centimetres, but it made all the difference.
"[It's] very hard to put it at the back of your mind, ultimately, it's really frustrating," Broad told BBC Sport after the close of play.
Stuart Broad in action for England on day two at Edgbaston [Getty Images]
"I'm not a big no-ball bowler, I've probably bowled more today than I have in Test matchdays before and I think there's a couple of reasons for that.
"I think the first day in the field at the Ashes, the emotions are high, you are charging in.
"I think the outfield you could feel under your feet was a little bit spongy, a little bit soft, so you are trying to gain from the outfield, you are probably striving a little bit.
"It was quite a close call, but it’s still a no ball. [It was] disappointing to make a breakthrough and have it called back but that happens in cricket.
"We're playing the long game, Test matches are five days long. We know this pitch stays pretty slow once it starts this slow but hopefully it will deteriorate and we will be in a good position"
"[It's] really frustrating, but ultimately you can't do anything about it now and you just have to find your rhythm and keep hitting the pitch high."
Broad had earlier sparked England into life by dismissing David Warner and Marnus Labuschage with consecutive deliveries.
Warner, possibly frustrated by being contained by England, lashed out at a wide delivery and chopped onto his own stumps, before Labuschagne was coaxed into nibbling at an outswinger. Jonny Bairstow took a good catch low to his left.
When Steve Smith followed, lbw to Ben Stokes with the score on 67, England sniffed an opening. But Khawaja and the middle order resisted.
Broad and England made early inroads but were frustrated by Usman Khawaja [Getty Images]
By the end of play, Australia had reduced arrears to just 92 runs, with five wickets remaining in their first innings.
It leaves the game in an intriguing position.
"We did create enough chances to probably bowl Australia out today, but also it doesn't strike me as a sort of pitch on day two where you would be looking to get 10 wickets in a day," Broad said.
"[It's] very hard to get a sort of play and miss or a false shot out of a batter if they just stay in their bubble like Uzzy [Khawaja] did today, he played beautifully.
"We're playing the long game, Test matches are five days long. We know this pitch stays pretty slow once it starts this slow but hopefully it will deteriorate and we will be in a good position."
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