Broad seeking help to play Tests without spectators
STUART Broad has revealed he has consulted a sports psychologist to prepare himself for playing Test cricket in front of empty seats.
England will begin their rearranged three-match series against the West Indies at the Ageas Bowl on July 8 before two Tests at Emirates Old Trafford, all behind closed doors.
As a player who relishes the heat of battle, Broad feels he needs to be mentally ready to be bowling at the West Indian batting line-up with no crowd behind him.
“The games will feel a bit different with no crowds but I think cricket is in a slightly different position to sports like football and rugby,” he said.
“Our domestic game in red ball cricket, a lot of the time we play in front of smaller crowds, so we are not relying on the atmosphere or the crowds to drive us forward.
“International cricket certainly will be more of a mental test to make sure each player is right up for the battle.
“I’m very aware of that, I’ve already spoken to our sport psychologist about creating a mindset around making sure I can get my emotions up to where they need to be for me to perform at my best.
“I have got to make sure my emotions are where they need to be for an international Test match and that is something I started working on in early June.”
Broad wants to make sure he is in the right frame of mind so he can hit the ground running in Southampton next month.
“It is almost like creating a bubble around yourself as an individual and finding what little things give you that competitive edge,” he said.
“It is going to be a different challenge for everybody, there will be times when the mind might drift further than it would in a normal Test match but that is where we have got to be so strong as individuals to not let that happen.”