Fledgling Broad prepares for his toughest test yet
Stuart Broad admits facing South Africa this summer will prove the toughest challenge of his fledgling Test career.
The 22-year-old paceman will win his seventh Test cap at Lord’s this morning when the Springboks arrive for the first in a four-match series. After impressing in the one day set-up, Broad has now emerged as England’s latest shining light in the Test side, keeping out the likes of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison from the starting XI.
Now, he can’t wait to lock horns with Graeme Smith and his men at Test level for the first time as he looks to really establish himself as a Test all-rounder. “It’s a very exciting time to be playing cricket,” the 6ft 6in Nottinghamshire seamer told CityA.M.
“It’s been great to be involved in four Test match victories in a short career so far, now it’s now up to me to cement my place in the Test side, get some wickets and help England win.
“South Africa are ranked second in the world, have a brilliant bowling attack and some high-quality batsmen. It will be the toughest Test series I’ve been involved in, it will be great to play and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.”
But despite the task at hand, Broad is confident England can rediscover their Test form after a one-day series defeat against New Zealand, and send the tourists home empty-handed.
“We can’t look too far past our own current form,” he added. “In the last five Test matches, we have won four and been playing good Test cricket. We are in form, we have momentum from the New Zealand Test series.