As Stuart Broad
prepares for his 16th Test match at Lord's, starting against Sri Lanka
on Thursday, he is asked to cast his mind back to his fifth. Over an
extraordinary few days in 2010, Broad scored what remains his only Test century, putting on what remains a record stand
for the eighth wicket in Tests (332 with Jonathan Trott); but it was
the revelations about the activities of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir that left their indelible mark on the game.
Amir, the youngest of the trio, was on Sunday named in Pakistan's Test
squad for their upcoming tour of England and is set to return to the
scene of the crime - for which he served time in a young offenders
institute - next month, although a decision on whether he will be
granted a UK visa is still pending.
Broad, however, does not harbour any ill will towards Amir, who is yet
to play a Test match since completing a five-year ICC ban for
spot-fixing. He is also still proud of his place on the honours board,
next to a score of 169 - the second-highest tally by a No. 9 and,
perhaps more importantly to Broad, eclipsing his dad's Test best by
seven runs.
Broad backing for Finn
Stuart Broad believes that Steven Finn can find his form on his home
ground after an indifferent return to the Test side. Finn has taken four
wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka, having recovered from an
injury-affected winter, but Broad said the surfaces in the series so
far, at Headingley and Chester-le-Street, had not catered to his
strengths.
"I think he's been searching for a bit of rhythm but
Lord's is his home ground, he should find rhythm - he traditionally
bowls from the Pavilion End and bowls really well there," Broad said.
"He can use the slope to his advantage, not try and swing it or throw it
up there, just do what he does, throw it into the pitch and use the
natural variations of that. Questions marks have been over his bowling
slightly because he's not got loads of wickets but, for me and him -
particularly him as a real hit-the-deck bowler - those wickets haven't
suited our style of bowling."
"It's certainly not devalued in my mind, I still scored those runs and
am still on the honours board," he said. "I think the result was
devalued. We couldn't celebrate - we didn't celebrate - it was all a
very strange time. But I don't think any feelings will be dragged into
this Test match from that Test match. I think only three or four players
are playing in the England team now who were then, and Pakistan have
had a huge change over.
"I don't think any ill feeling or negativity from the players will have
carried through - the crowd might be a different story. We know that
Lord's is a passionate crowd and they all have their own minds."
Amir made his international comeback with Pakistan's limited-overs teams
at the start of this year and, despite some initial resistance among
team-mates, he has made an encouraging start to his second coming. Azhar
Ali, Pakistan's ODI captain, said last week that "toughest phase is over" for Amir and Broad said he had no issues with his inclusion.
"I think he's served his time and the ICC have got their guidelines to
what the punishments are for certain crimes and people have their
opinion on that," Broad said. "At the end of the day as an England team
to win a Test series like that is a brilliant feeling and you want to
play against the best possible team you can and for quality of bowler I
don't think there is much doubt that he is up there with anyone.
"I've not played him for six years but in 2010 he was a constant threat
and he was Man of the Series I think. It swung round corners for him."
While Broad no longer has pretensions to become the genuine allrounder
that 2010 innings suggested he might, he has grown in stature as a
bowler in the intervening period, recently becoming only the third
England bowler to be ranked No. 1 in the world since the 1980s. His
rise, following a haul of 6 for 17 in Johannesburg
that set up England's series win over South Africa, was swiftly
followed by that of his team-mate James Anderson, who last week emulated
Ian Botham, Steve Harmison and Broad in reaching the summit.
Despite taking ten wickets at 18.90 in two Tests against Sri Lanka,
Broad actually fell to third, behind India's R Ashwin - who has not
played a Test since December, prompting Broad to joke: "So I would have
been better off carrying drinks at the IPL." Not that the famously
taciturn Anderson has been moved to an outpouring of emotion. "He hasn't
actually mentioned it. I texted him when the rankings came out saying
'having a drink for you - congratulations'. I think he is chuffed but
you know what Jimmy is like - he's certainly not given it a smile yet."
Hopefully, Amir gets his visa, it's always a joy to watch him play
especially in conditions conducive to his style of bowling. Both he and
Mustafizur Rahman are two of the most exciting talents in the game
today.
creekeetman
on June 7, 2016, 11:25 GMT
Agree with those who support Amir, he has served his punishment for his
part, and now it is time to move on and appreciate him for the very fine
bowler that he is. I'm sure there will be a lot of "perfect" people who
will boo, and spew negativity towards him, but he must be strong and
focus only on bowling. Like others have said, if Pakistan manage to get
runs on the board, they can be very competitive.
evda_cheta
on June 7, 2016, 10:33 GMT
against amir the great england openar alistair cook will struggle to make 20 in any innings.
masibulele9999
on June 7, 2016, 10:18 GMT
I hope the UK grants Amir the visa - he has been punished for his
transgression and he has learned his lesson - as it would be
fascinating to see what he will be able to do on the English pitches.
Diaz54
on June 7, 2016, 9:41 GMT
Good on Broad....that's how it should be. I hope the crowd are also
supportive. Remember this guy was young....and has served his time. I
would like to challenge all, those who command such high values by
examining their own first before casting their views.
Jamal Shehzad
on June 7, 2016, 8:54 GMT
Muhammad Aamir is good but Nowadays 300 runs in England with a good fast
bowling attack sufficient to win a matchas, we saw in Aussies 2015 last
year and 1st match of 2016 Eng vs Sri. Perhaps Eng may change pitches
for Pak because they score slowly not attacking and have a good bowling
attack which is ingerious to Eng. But if pitches as same as now it will
be a tough series and I think it will be 2-2 series.
fkhawaja
on June 7, 2016, 8:27 GMT
I totally agree with CAMBERWELL . If Pakistan can bat out the initial
overs and make a challenging total, they can put pressure on England.
wahab, aamir , and yasir are class bowlers and quiet capable of getting
England out twice.
GoldRoger
on June 7, 2016, 7:38 GMT
Broad and Anderson will be overshadowed by amir's magic
Its one thing to be bowling well and its another thing to be naturally talented which this guy is.
YorkshireDeano
on June 7, 2016, 6:15 GMT
The last two Pakistan tours hsve been marred by controvesy. I sincerely
hope we are talking about cricket and cricket only at the end of the
series AND when Pakistan next return. I'm looking forward to dome real
hard cricket
Camberwellcarrot1979
on June 7, 2016, 3:12 GMT
I think Pakistan will be a real test. They have some quality cricketers
and in Wahab and Amir, the makings of a top quality seam attack. I think
the real battle will be if Pakistan can get runs on the board in
swinging conditions. If the pitch is flat or the openers can see off
Broad and Jimmy's initial spell then they have a real chance. If England
can get 2 or 3 early wickets, I think we'll do well. Those dismissing
the threat of Yasir is a fool. The guy is a top quality leggie and will
get some assistance on the later season wickets.
Jamal Shehzad
on
June 7, 2016, 8:54 GMT
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