From 36 in six balls to 8/15, the English pacer turns over a new leaf
From 36 in six balls to 8/15, England bowler Stuart Broad turned over a new leaf during the fourth Test against Australia at Trent Bridge on Thursday. (Photo: AP)
Mumbai: Stuart Broad, like his Indian namesake (Stuart Binny), was born with cricket in his blood. The son of former England opener Chris Broad ran into the record books early in his career (in 2007) when Yuvraj Singh slammed him for six sixes in an over in the ICC World T20 match in Durban. But today, he proved how he broadened his skills over the years. Broad could be called a graduate after his 8/15 against Australia at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
When the cricketer started off, he was in the elite company of Darren Gough, Steve Harmison and James Anderson (who is still his team mate). But Yuvraj literally grabbed him by his neck and almost drowned him in a bowl of soup. Being a patient student of his craft, Broad ironed out his flaws and today, he rose, ironically from the ashes.
Eight years back during the T20 run-fest, Broad seemed clueless when the Indian southpaw hit him out of the park thrice in three deliveries. He kept looking for the right spot but could not crack the Yuvraj code enmeshed with power and style.
Today, his opponents were the World Cup winners but Broad is no more a college student. From Steve Smith Michael Clarke – he had them all.
On the eve of the Test when the England think-tank were still strategising how to tame the Aussies without James Anderson – the main strike bowler who missed out the Test due to a side strain – it was Broad who made them confident saying: “Clearly Jimmy is going to be missed, we can’t sit here and deny that” but added: “You don't play forever and think who is irreplaceable? There's always someone who can come in." Boy! He did justify his statement.
Broad, who has 42 Test wickets in 2015 has added his name to the top wicket-takers in England (307) alongside Fred Trueman.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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