England’s new regime is about to commence and, when it comes to making an impact, Stuart Broad is a man who believes he has no time to lose.
With the appointment of Robert Key as Managing Director having been closely followed by the installation of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as captain and coach respectively, the leadership of the national side has undergone a sea change since the Nottinghamshire fast bowler’s last involvement in the setup.
Writing in his column for the Mail on Sunday, the Nottinghamshire fast bowler admits to feeling an initial sense of anxiety regarding his international future.
But, having now been selected for the first squad of the summer, that has been replaced with excitement regarding what is to come.
“Whenever a new management team comes in, it’s always a bit of a stressful time because you never know if you are a player that they want to move forward with.
“The uncertainty has been no different for me over the past few weeks with England, but I feel the way I play my cricket and the aggressive approach that I like to take on to the field suits the characteristics of Rob Key, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
“Quite simply, I’m really looking forward to getting going next week after being selected in the first Test squad of the summer. So far, I’ve had only one, very brief cricket chat on the phone with Brendon, but I’m positive about what lies ahead.
“There are no long-term targets. I am just trying to have as positive an impact as I can, as soon as I can, under this regime.
“A weakness in the past has been a habit of focusing on the next Ashes. Let’s stop all that, make it one from one at Lord’s, sign that game off and move onto the next one.
“There is no doubt there is a little bit of an injury problem with bowlers at the moment, so it is important the guys who are fit stay fit because we cannot afford too many more to go.”
With New Zealand the first tourists of the Test Match summer, England’s opening assignment comes at Lord’s starting on Thursday 2 June.
“Of course, you can never guarantee performances, but what I can guarantee at the start of this new era is something I always have done — my heart and soul will go into playing at Lord’s,” Broad added.
“After being left out over the winter, it is really refreshing to be forward facing and only setting my focus in one direction. There will be no looking back because there is no need for it.”
The second stop on the international roadshow is Trent Bridge starting on Friday 10 June, with tickets still available for day four of the contest.
With two of Broad’s early season Nottinghamshire appearances having taken place at his home venue, the 35-year-old is satisfied that his preparation is complete.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed building up to international cricket with Nottinghamshire and feel I have made good contributions to a team that instinctively plays on the front foot and is well placed towards the top of the second division.
“In most walks of life, if you keep looking back over your shoulder at things that have happened in the past, it can be quite draining, so I’ve made that face forward commitment to myself.
“It has given me a lot of energy in my early season performances at Nottinghamshire and to resume a Test career that at 152 caps is certainly more than halfway through!
“Once we do get together in London, the focus will be on helping create some new statistics.
“The facts state that this England team has won one Test in 17. I would like to think we can make it one win in one when we start the international summer.”
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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…