Broad has more irons in the fi re

going to use the time to prepare for the summer. I am also looking to buy a pub with a view to having a few in a few years’ time.”

The sight of Broad, below, pulling pints remains some way off for all that he is deadly serious about this new venture, having spotted the perfect opportunity in a village near his home.

“We have our eyes on one. I love my food and I love my wine,” he said. “I can’t tell you where it is yet but watch this space.”

Relaxing after a round of golf at former Ryder Cup venue the Belfry last week, Broad, 29, looked quite the opposite of “gutted”. He appeared refreshed already but this will be but a brief pause to relax. He has set himself the target of 400 Test wickets – he has 333 – and, having climbed to the top of the Test rankings with his seriesclinching 6- 17 in Johannesburg this winter, wants to stay there all year.

“It is a big honour to be top given that only Beefy [ Sir Ian B o t h a m ] and Harmy [ Steve Harmison] have been there as English players and that makes me very happy. And it gives me a lot of drive,” said Broad.

“But there is no reason why, with the cricket coming up in our conditions this summer, I can’t stay there. I want 400 Test wickets as well. That would be special and it’s not a million miles away now.”

Broad may be looking on from afar as the World T20 unfolds – England start their campaign against West Indies in Mumbai next Wednesday – but he believes they have a realistic chance, for all that he was speaking before their No1 quick Steven Finn was ruled out with injury.

“It is hard to look past India as favourites, particularly at home, but if Adil Rashid has a fantastic tournament and Eoin Morgan fi nds form with the bat you never know,” he said.

“It’s way different from Test cricket, where I believe you need nine players to have a good game to win a match. In T20, you need just two. If one bloke gets 100 off 50 balls you win the game and we defi nitely have the talent in the ranks for someone to go out and do that.”