FOURTH & FINAL TEST STU’S LEAP OF FAITH

Broad’s set on more magic spells

STUART BROAD believes he can pull back the curtains at the Bullring and provide yet more theatre as part of a first away hat-trick of his career.

Four years after one of his great fast-bowling performances at the famous old ground, Broad returns to the Wanderers looking for a repeat of the 6-17 that took him to No.1 in the world.

He is England’s leading wicket taker in the current Test series with 12 scalps at an average of 18.25, and even though he has played 137 matches he has never won three in a row away from home.

He reckons this ground – nicknamed the Bullring – could be the perfect place to deliver another of the game-changing spells he is renowned for and seal the 3-1 win.

“I feel very confident at the minute,” said Broad. “But I’ve not had one of those spells where I’ve really snapped through a team. The Wanderers could be it.

“Last time I think the theatre around the spell was exciting to bowl. It was a good spell in that we had a 13-run lead and it sort of sealed the series.

“It wasn’t a particularly impressive spell of bowling, but the wickets came and that’s cricket. If you can create theatre as a fast bowler a lot of the time things work for you as the pressure builds on a team.”

Without the injured James Anderson alongside him,

Broad, 33, is the elder statesman of the side and is passing on his knowledge to younger team-mates.

Despite the march of whiteball variations, he has been reassured the latest crop of English cricketers are desperate to succeed at Test cricket above all else.

“I feel like I can share a lot of experience and the young players really listen,” he added.

“You’ve guys hungry and desperate to develop as Test playing cricketers: Pope, Crawley, Sibley, Curran, Archer.

“There’s this myth around sometimes that all youngsters want to do is play T20 cricket, but all these players have a desperate desire to have long, successful, Ashes-winning Test careers.

“It’s a different kind of role for me. You start to care a little bit less about your own performances and start to care about other people’s.

“I know I can still deliver when the heat is on. I’ve still got a lot of fire in the belly.”