Broad has scored half centuries in three successive Tests

Nottinghamshire fast bowler Stuart Broad has a "very long" England career ahead of him, according to the county's director of cricket Mick Newell.

Broad has been omitted from the England side for the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston despite scoring half centuries in his last three Tests.

Newell told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I'm not particularly surprised.

"He's done excellently with the bat. I would see this as a minor setback in a very long career."

Newell added: "But you have to accept that by changing the balance of the team, his place is going to come under threat."

England have recalled fellow Notts seamer Ryan Sidebottom and Durham batsman Paul Collingwood to the side beaten at Headingley but have left out Broad and Darren Pattinson, while Durham paceman Steve Harmison is not included after returning to the squad.

606: DEBATE Broad had to be dropped. He simply hasn't looked a good enough bowler Maybeheisntquiteperfect

"If they [the England selectors] are only going to play four bowlers, they have to play the best four bowlers," added Newell.

"They obviously feel that at the moment James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom and Andrew Flintoff are their best seam bowlers."

Broad has proved an unexpected success with the bat in Test cricket, with three half-centuries in 11 innings and an average of 41.22.

But he was selected to take top-order wickets, and has failed to do so with any regularity, returning just 19 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 49.36.

His strike rate is 91.8, meaning it takes him more than 15 overs to take each wicket.