Stuart Broad is ready for his own Ashes ‘marathon’ to commence as he primes his pink ball prowess in preparation for Adelaide.
Broad missed out on selection for the First Test and watched on as the tourists were beaten by nine wickets.
But the Nottinghamshire and England fast bowler is refusing to dwell on what might have been; revealing that, no sooner had the team selection for Brisbane been confirmed, groundwork commenced in earnest for the South Australian leg of the tour.
“There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves; to dwell on not batting, bowling, or catching very well. We know that’s the case,” said the 35-year-old.
“More importantly, what specifically can we channel positively into Adelaide? What we must not do is carry negatives with us for the next month.
“We’ve done that on Ashes tours in the past and consistently lost. We must pretend it’s 0-0 in a four-match series and go again.”
Broad, who has played 149 Tests and taken 524 wickets for England, is at peace with the decision not to select him at the Gabba, admitting that a full five-match series would have been a tough assignment as a fast bowler.
“I’ve been left out on numerous occasions and sometimes it has come as a real surprise. This was less of a surprise, maybe because I wasn’t in the team for the previous series against India due to a calf injury,” he continued.
“It would be wrong in this scenario to kick up a stink. On the flip side, I love Ashes cricket, love bowling at the Gabba and feel like I could’ve had a positive influence on a pitch like that.
“Of course, I was disappointed not to play, but I also realise this series is a marathon and not a sprint. Never have five Test matches been as bunched up as this and it will be exhausting, so realistically I don’t think any seamer will play all five.
The second Test gets underway at 4am GMT on Thursday, and will be England’s second day/night fixture Down Under.
Despite a five-wicket haul for James Anderson, Australia eased to a 120-run win on that occasion, one of eight pink ball victories on home soil; a 100% record.
“David Warner got a triple hundred in a pink-ball game at the Adelaide Oval (in 2019), so we can’t just think it’s going to nip around.” Broad said. “We have to adjust quicker than Australia to whatever is presented to us.
“Timing is very important in floodlit Test matches. Conditions change very quickly in certain periods, so you have to recognise them and adapt.
“What length is going to hit the top of the stumps with that ball? We have seen when the Australians have done damage with the pink ball in previous Adelaide matches, it has come from a slightly fuller length.
“Personally, I have tried to get a step ahead these past few days. When I was told I wasn’t playing, it was straight to the nets, pink ball in hand and bowling in the nets with Jimmy and Craig Overton all week.”
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