Returning hero willing to risk it all against Windies

STUART BROAD yesterday bowled England to within sight of a dramatic second Test victory and then insisted they will gamble on losing at Old Trafford today to push for the win they need to have any chance of regaining the Wisden Trophy. Broad, controversially left out of last week’s first Test defeat, took three of the six West Indies wickets to fall after tea on the fourth day as the second Test suddenly exploded into life. West Indies avoided the follow on after being bowled out for 287 but England extended their lead to 219 by the close after opening their second innings with Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler and will chase quick runs today before trying to force a series-levelling victory. ‘We want a minimum lead of 270 and that could set up a great last day,’ said Broad, who moved to within 12 of 500 Test wickets. ‘We want to make this 1-1 with one to play and with the time that’s gone because of the weather, we might have to take a risk. ‘I bet everyone thought the game was going nowhere at tea but then it sparked into life. ‘We’ll dangle a carrot and all results will be possible, but we’ll have to bowl pretty badly to lose. ‘We’re going to have to set the game up in the first 45 minutes to an hour of the day. ‘The key might well be to get two new balls because we’ve seen the new ball behave differently on this pitch and it gives the bowlers a chance. ‘We’ve given ourselves a chance of winning this game, which is a great position to be in.’ A defiant Broad, who reacted angrily to the axe at the Ageas Bowl, insisted he should not be written off yet and wants to emulate his strike partner Jimmy Anderson in playing for England towards his 38th birthday. ‘Sometimes I get put into an older category than I am,’ he said. ‘I’m 34 and Jimmy has taken something like 130 Test wickets since turning my age. Why can’t I do the same? I’m hungry and my fitness record is good. I feel like I can emulate Jimmy.’ Stokes left the field after tea with what looked like a rib injury but the problem was indigestion and all he needed was a comfort break. ‘He didn’t know what that was, to be honest, and I can’t repeat what solved it,’ added Broad. ‘It was almost winding him when he was bowling, so he relieved himself and felt better.’