Cricket: England move in for the kill

Mar 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

STUART BROAD laid down an important marker for his extended inclusion in England’s Test plans with a long and sustained spell of hostile bowling to upset New Zealand in the deciding Test.

Broad, son of former England opener Chris, has learnt all about the art of aggression from his famous father and, even at 21 and playing in only his third Test, he is not afraid to use it to his advantage.

It was that hostility, staring down opener Matthew Bell shortly before tea on the fourth day at McLean Park, which proved the catalyst for an important burst of wickets as the tourists chased their first overseas Test series triumph in three years.

Bell and former captain Stephen Fleming, who had been given a guard of honour by England as he walked out to play his final Test innings, were defying the tourists’ best efforts at that stage, chasing an unlikely victory target of 553.

They had successfully frustrated England for 30 overs and forged a 99-run stand when Broad upset Bell and prompted Fleming to urge umpire Rudi Koertzen to intervene before he took up the matter again with captain Michael Vaughan as they left the field on 146 for one at tea.

Whatever was said apparently worked with Bell’s three hours of defiance ending three balls after the interval when he mis-timed a pull off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar to Broad in the deep.

Fleming followed three overs later as New Zealand lost four wickets in the final session to finish on 222 for five.

Broad refused to reveal the details of the row, but admitted: “I’m not really a talker, I just tend to stare and batsmen don’t seem to like it and chunter away.

“It’s part of being a bowler really, you’ve got to try and make the batsman uncomfortable.”

Fleming, who edged Panesar behind attempting to cut, also refused to break the dressing room code of silence by revealing the details, but admitted Broad has “got a bit about him; that’s good in a young player.”

That episode would certainly not have done Broad any harm when England come to pick their line-up for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on May 15 as he attempts to fight off the claims of Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison.

Broad will also have enhanced his claims by demonstrating his great stamina once again with an unbroken 14-over spell either side of tea to claim two for 28 and help Panesar strengthen England’s grip on the series.

Panesar struck initially to remove opener Jamie How lbw shortly after lunch and made the key breakthrough immediately after tea.

Fleming fell soon after for a superb 66, which ensured he finished his career with an average over 40 but for the 46th time in 111 Tests he had been unable to convert it into a major innings.

“I walked off frustrated which has happened 50 or 60 times in my career and I did have a wry smile to myself that it was probably a fitting way to go,” said Fleming.

“If I’d have made a hundred it would have been an anomaly. I’m disappointed but when I take time to reflect I guess I’m satisfied to have a four in front of my average.”

With Ryan Sidebottom struggling following his Herculean efforts previously in this Test and the series, it was left to Broad to make further inroads.

Bowling in tandem with Panesar to create pressure, Mathew Sinclair could only fend a bouncer behind to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose while Grant Elliott attempted to pull and looped the ball up for Ian Bell to run and take the catch from short leg.

“It was an important Test match for the team and me personally to try and get a spot in the summer and it was nice to contribute,” admitted Broad.

“We discussed bowling in partnerships and creating pressure by bowling maidens and when you do that in cricket, wickets tend to come.

“The good thing about a long spell is that when you hit a rhythm you can just keep going with that rhythm.”