Robert Key, the newly installed Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, has paved the way for Stuart Broad’s return to the England Test team.

After discussing the matter with his freshly appointed captain, Ben Stokes, Key was unequivocal that the Nottinghamshire fast bowler, together with his long-term new ball partner James Anderson, are very much part of his plans.

"Before I was announced in this job, I rang Jimm§y and Broady and said 'For my money, you boys are available for selection for the first Test of the summer'," said the former Kent captain and England middle-order man.

“One of the first things Ben Stokes said was 'Jimmy and Broady are coming back' and I agree. It might've been a different story had we not agreed. But it wasn't up for debate."

Broad, who has 537 Test wickets to his name, has returned to action for the first time since the winter’s Ashes series for Nottinghamshire’s ongoing fixture against Worcestershire. He was not selected for the more recent tour of the West Indies.

Key’s positive view highlights the possibility of Broad once again playing Test cricket at his home venue, with England set to face New Zealand at Trent Bridge starting on Friday 10 June.

"They've got their plans in place," said Key. "We don't need to tell Jimmy and Broady what they need to do, or how they need to prepare for a Test Match.

“If they don't know now, no one will. And they've got to be right and up for selection for that first Test. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't have a big part to play."

While rest and rotation has been a feature of team selections in recent years, Key vowed that, on his watch, he expects that the Three Lions will consistently pick their best team for the red-ball game.

"We'll just see how they go," he said. "If they play the first Test Match and they're bowling really well, and England are doing well, then they might play the next, and then on to the next.

“If they're tired, then someone else can come in. I don't think we have to overthink all this stuff. But what we have to do is be flexible on how we do it.

"They are not multi-format cricketers at the moment. With someone like Jofra Archer, it might be a bit different.

“When he comes back fit, there will be times where it'll be very obvious when we want our absolute best out there, and there might be a white-ball series that we can sacrifice a bit.

“That, actually, isn't a bad thing because some other players can come in to prolong the success of the white-ball team. I just don't think we have to overthink it."

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England versus New Zealand at our historic home

From James Anderson ripping through Australia, to Joe Root and Jos Buttler tons, day four fireworks are frankly commonplace at our historic home.

Secure your seats for day four of England against world champions New Zealand here…