YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET
Broad not ready for a rest right now as he insists he and pal Jimmy will strike fear into batsmen for years to come
STUART BROAD has told England management he wants to keep going right until the Ashes tour.
He believes there is plenty more to come from him and pace partner James Anderson this summer.
The pair are now numbers one and two on the all-time England Test wickettakers list, but there will come a time when Broad and Anderson are not terrorising opening batsmen.
Yet as far as 31-year-old Broad is concerned, that time is still some way off and those wanting to lighten their workload should look elsewhere.
The records are arriving thick and fast with Broad just 16 wickets away from 400 and Anderson eight away from 500 scalps – both of which are possible in the next two games against the Windies.
They could then enjoy a break ahead of the Ashes in which their skills and hunger are exactly what England will need.
“I will politely suggest I will have sufficient rest in September and October to be available for the next two Tests against West Indies,” said Broad in a pointed response to the idea of resting.
“I’m 31 and still feel I have a lot of cricket left in me. I’m loving the energy in this team, I’m loving being a part of it and I’ve got a few more miles in the tank.
“Jimmy is bowling as well as I’ve seen him bowl. He’s 35, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him challenge both sides of the bat as consistently as he has done this summer.
“He’s not bowling bad balls, he looks in a rhythm that’s awesome. Long may that continue. He’s going to be crucial for our chances this winter.
“He is picking up wickets at a huge speed so not only will he be looking at 500, he’ll be looking way past that the way he is going.”
Broad is desperate to do well in a winning series Down Under after being injured on the 2010-11 tour and when he fired in 2013-14, the team were in a losing spiral.
And having moved past Sir Ian Botham’s wicket tally at Edgbaston, Broad is keen to emulate the great man’s heroics in Australia.
“Beefy has been a big influence on me,” added Broad. “Playing with my dad and watching his performances against Australia, he is a legend of cricket and he has given a lot back to this team.
“I was fortunate to get my Test cap off him in 2007 and he is someone who has spent more and more time in the changing room and the guys really listen to him.
“He is someone who has an influence on us the way he performed against Australia and he said we’ll share a nice bottle of wine later in the week.
“If he’s buying, that’s quite exciting!”