Broad sets sight on year of success

London: Stuart Broad has started work in the West Indies convinced English cricket can still plan for a "special" year of success despite two weeks of upheaval.

While simply losing a coach might be considered unfortunate, misplacing a captain as well is a cause for concern. But if any man can make sure everyone is pulling in the same direction, it is new skipper Andrew Strauss.

Budding allrounder Broad believes England have already moved on from the Peter Moores/Kevin Pietersen affair and the 22-year-old, who looks like having a big future ahead of him, is confident 2009 can still be memorable for the right reasons.

"We've got a really good team building here and if we can get on a bit of a roll I think the summer could be very special," he insisted. "It starts in the West Indies in a week or two with the first Test and everyone is geared up for that. We are just going to play with all the energy and enjoyment we can and look to produce exciting cricket.

"This is a massive year. The amount of cricket to be played is huge and the stature of the games coming up in the summer (with the Ashes series followed by a one-day series against Australia and then a Champions Trophy) means it's a particularly exciting time to be an international cricketer."

Despite his boy-band looks, Broad should not be mistaken for anything but a teak-tough cricketer on the field.

He is the sort who seems to grow taller when the tension rises and, despite having made only 10 Test appearances, it comes as no surprise to learn that Strauss wants to hand him more responsibility. Along with Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook, Broad will sit on the player/management group in the Caribbean.

Those four will be the link between rank and file and top brass, making sure that Strauss and now senior coach Andy Flower are kept abreast of thoughts and feelings. England's latest captain has already revealed he wants his players to take more responsibility over their preparations for international cricket.

That means using the team's small army of back-up staff as consultants, rather than relying on them to decide how much batting, bowling, fielding or fitness work is required.

The theory is that taking responsibility and making good decisions off the field can only help people to react better in the heat of battle.

"This will not be a massive change because most players take responsibility for themselves," said Broad.

"But it is a good way to go. My view on it is that I'm the one bowling the ball or trying to hit it if I'm batting so I make sure I can get enough of what I need to do when practising, and make sure I'm feeling mentally right."

With a Test bowling average of 45 and only 26 wickets in the bank, Broad's statistics need smartening up this year.

But if Strauss is to make a winning start as full-time captain, he will need more than potential against an improving West Indies outfit.

While Broad looks to develop, more seasoned campaigners like Steve Harmison, Ian Bell, Flintoff and Monty Panesar must sparkle in the Caribbean.

Then England really can put the upset of early 2009 behind them.

- Evening Standard