Dubai : Stuart Broad is just six wickets short of the 100 wicket mark in One-day cricket. He has successfully spearheaded the England pace attack and has played a big role in England's impressive performances in international cricket recently.
At 23, he is one of the most promising cricketers in world cricket today. In an exclusive interview with Gulf News from England, Broad spoke about his career and his ambitions.
GULF NEWS: You are six short of 100 wickets in One-day cricket. How does it feel when you look back at your performance as a bowler and do you think you should have reached the 100 mark at a quicker pace?
STUART BROAD: I'm happy with my performances so far. If you'd said to me a few years ago that I'd be 23 and play 60 odd One-day matches for England and take 94 wickets I'd have taken that! I know I have a lot more hard work to do as a cricketer in order to become the ‘finished article' but in terms of a start then yes, I'm pretty happy.
Are you pleased with your performance in Tests as well as Twenty20s? What are the areas you think you need to improve in?
Look, as a bowler I want to take as many wickets as possible. I think I've taken more international Twenty20 wickets than any other England bowler so I'm pleased with my performances in that form of the game.
Bowling in Tests requires a different approach. It's less about adaptability and versatility and more about consistency. This is something I have been working hard on and will hopefully improve with experience.
Do you think a pacer should be a master of the reverse swing?
Reverse swing is a big weapon for any bowler especially in the subcontinent. In the UK, the ball swings conventionally so it's not so important but on the pitches you find in India, Sri Lanka and indeed Bangladesh it's a really important skill.
I'm lucky that within the England team we have a number of bowlers that are great exponents of the art of reverse swing and I am working hard with the likes of James Anderson.
You started off as an opening batsman. Are you disappointed that you haven't really sharpened your batting skills? Are you doing anything special to become a strong all-rounder?
You're right, I did start as a batsman but after a growth spurt at the age of 17 I had a change of direction and took up bowling. Overall I've been pretty happy with my performances so far with the bat.
Do you think the rules tend to favour batsmen, especially in Twenty20s? Any suggestions?
I think some of the best games are low scoring ones with a real close, tense finish. As a bowler you accept that every so often you're going to go for a few runs but that makes it all the nicer when you put in a match-winning performance.
How do you find Pakistan as a Twenty20 opponent?
As the current ICC World Twenty20 World Champions you'd have to say Pakistan are the best team in the world. As a team we will have to be on the top of our game if we're going to come out on top in this forthcoming series.
Do you think England is shaping up as a strong team for ICC World Cup and the Twenty20 World Cup?
Being only the second team to win a one-day series against South Africa in South Africa will hopefully prove to be a springboard that will drive us on to greater things. Looking ahead to the ICC World Cup next year this tour to Bangladesh will give us a great opportunity to gain valuable practice.
