Wednesday 28 January 2015 11:07, UK
Stuart Broad insists his controversial tweet about the minimum wage was an innocent observation, not a response to former team-mate Kevin Pietersen.
Broad found himself at the centre of a social media storm on Tuesday when he tweeted: "I've heard if you earn minimum wage in England you're in the top 10 per cent earners in the World. #stay #humble."
He later apologised for any offence taken in two subsequent messages, but not before drawing heavy criticism, many taking issue with his own elevated financial position.
Others interpreted his tweet as an attempted riposte to Pietersen, who last week called for "muppets" in county cricket who earn "18 grand, 15 grand" to find alternative employment.
Broad described Pietersen's claims as "misguided" but was keen to stress there was no hidden meaning to his own words.
Asked if they were a response to Pietersen's comments, Broad said: "No. To back him up a little bit he does use that word (muppet) a little bit, even about himself sometimes.
"(But) it's a very important role in cricket, that development role, no one's going to start on big wages or top wages, you have to earn your stripes.
"I think that (£15k-£18k) is actually below the minimum cap anyway so he's a bit off the mark.
"I don't think he meant any offence but (was) just a little bit misguided."
Broad reiterated his earlier Twitter clarification regarding his minimum wage comments, by adding: "I was genuinely fascinated by the size of the world.
"It was genuinely innocent, sorry to offend anyone if anyone did take offence to it."
Meanwhile, Broad feels he is close to discovering his best form after returning to action following a knee injury in the Tri-Series against Australia and India.
He is yet to take a wicket in the series, but is confident England can secure a final berth against Australia by beating India on Friday.
Broad told Sky Sports News: "My knee is feeling really good actually. It was quite a long lay-off – four-and-a-half months without any cricket – so it does take you time to get up to match speed I suppose.
"I feel like the ball is coming out okay. I have probably bowled a couple of soft boundary balls in the games I have played so far which disappoints me, especially as I am an experienced bowler, but I think the more match sharpness you get they cut out of your game.
"I’m experienced enough to know I always go through little periods where I maybe don’t pick up wickets then I get a chunk of them so hopefully it will be my turn on Friday
"As a team we are playing some really exciting stuff. We obviously want to put some back-to-back wins together which we are going to have to do to progress in the World Cup, but we are getting a lot of the parts of the game fantastically right."
Watch England v India live on Sky Sports 2 from 3am on Friday.
