Stuart Broad has Aussies in his sights

Nottingham, United Kingdom: Stuart Broad does not have an answer to how and why he can produce match-winning spells of bowling from out of seemingly nothing, but the England strike bowler is hoping he can do it again in as many Test matches in the Ashes series as possible.

He produced such a spell at The Oval in the fifth and series-winning Test against Australia in 2009 and has followed that with various other efforts including, most recently, a seven-wicket haul at Lord’s against New Zealand in May.

“I don’t know how it happens but I do know when it is happening to make the most of it,” Broad said ahead of the start of the Investec Ashes series at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

“You’re always trying to find that groove and, when you’ve found it, you want to stay in it for as long as possible. That’s when you attack the batsmen, put them under pressure and force mistakes.

“It’s during such spells that you realise all the hard work, training and sacrifices are well worth it. It’s what you play cricket for. You have to remember, though, that it’s all part of a team.”

But it is not just with the ball that 27-year-old Broad intends to make an impact.

With a top score of 170 — against Pakistan at Lord’s — he is part of a lower middle order all capable of scoring runs.

He said: “It’s massively important those from seven onwards make a good contribution with the bat. It can take the game away from the opposition or can get us out of a hole.”