Broad smiles as woeful Aussies skittled for 60!
EIGHT-WICKET hero Stuart Broad has warned his team-mates against an Australian backlash after England established a 214-run lead on a stunning first day of the fourth Ashes Test.
The Nottinghamshire bowler was unstoppable as he took 8-15 on his home ground of Trent Bridge as Australia were quickly skittled out for a shambolic 60.
Joe Root (124 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (74) then ensured England built a dominant firstinnings advantage, with Australia now facing a 3-1 series defeat.
But Broad, who passed 300 Test wickets in the first over of the day when he got out Chris Rogers, knows the tourists will return to action today determined to ‘fight back hard’.
He said: “We held our composure quite well out there. At 10-3 it would have been quite easy to get greedy and try to bowl magic balls, but the talk out there was encouraging the bowlers to stay patient because it would happen for us.
“We’ve just had a quick chat in the changing room about enjoying the moment now, but we’ve still got a big job to do because Australia will fight back hard.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and the game’s not over yet.”
Broad, who recorded his best bowling figures since his school days, paid tribute to his colleagues at the end of a remarkable day in Nottingham.
“It’s certainly been one of the best first days I’ve been involved in,” he said.
“The way the guys batted... Rooty’s been in the form of his life for 18 months.
“It settled my nerves getting the wicket in the first over and we knew we had to bowl an attacking length and get it up there, and the way we caught was special.
“I’m very proud when I see what it means to the whole team because everybody’s fighting for the same thing and that’s to win Test matches.”
Australia captain Michael Clarke cut a frustrated, but not defeated, figure.
“It’s hard right now,” he said. “Obviously I’m really disappointed with how the day’s turned out but then you’ve got to look at the fact that it’s only one day down.
“Our backs are against the wall and we’ve got to fight but you’ve got to front up and find a way.
“We’ve got to fight. You don’t give up - the Australian way is to never give up – and I can stand here and say we can still find a way. But we need something special.”