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As the return Ashes series on Australian soil looms closer, the mental games between the two sides – if not nations – have begun. As the chirping grows louder, no cricket fan can escape the fact that the summer of international cricket is nearly upon us.
A central figure in the latest instalment of Test cricket’s oldest rivalry will undoubtedly be English all rounder Stuart Broad.
Obviously Broad’s talents will guarantee he commands attention this summer, for his tall, lanky frame ensures he can be a dangerous and hostile customer with the red ball in his hand, while his stubborn lower order batting has proved a thorn in the side for many bowling attacks, especially Australia’s.
Yet, it is Broad’s personality, competitiveness and attitude that will equally ensure that he will never be far from the spotlight this summer. In fact, make no mistake about it, Broad will be public enemy number one in Australia over the coming months.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann even implored Australian fans to sledge Broad and send him home ‘crying’, and it’s doubtful that cricket tragics across the land won’t take heed of ‘Boofs’ plea, as they hardly need encouraging, especially once they’ve consumed a couple of amble ales.
Many will point to his refusal to walk in the First Ashes Test at Trent Bridge as the reason Broad will cop copious amounts of vitriol from Australian cricket fans during the series.
However, it goes further than that. Broad has also been accused of time-wasting, sledging and general arrogance; behaviour that has not endeared him to opponents, nor their fans.
Yet any Australians who find themselves saying they ‘hate’ Broad, and are looking forward to giving him an earful, would be wise to ask the question of why exactly they don’t like the Englishman.
Broad plays his cricket hard. He’s feisty, competitive, loves a bit of niggle and doesn’t back down from anyone. He’s also extremely talented. Oh, and there is the small point that he’s a winner.
Those are qualities that Australians love to see in their own cricketers, so if it is indeed for any of those reasons that one doesn’t like Stuart Broad, the words ‘pot’, ‘kettle’ and ‘black’ come to mind.
Furthermore, if the loathing stems from Broad’s refusal to walk, then Australian cricket fans must have very short – or selective – memories. Adam Gilchrist aside, few Australian batsmen have ever earned the nicknamed ‘Jane Saville’.
Broad relishes playing the role of villain, and has wasted no time in attempting to get under Australian’s skins since arriving in the country. He’s responded to insults on Twitter, he’s taunted Australia about his non-walking, along with their poor use of the DRS, and he’s stated that he didn’t – and doesn’t – accept Lehmann’s apology.
He’s also gone to great lengths to remind Australians that England won the last series 4-0, and have won three Ashes series in a row.
Which has only served to make the natives even more restless, and even more determined to verbally assault him.
It’s a calculated strategy by Broad, who has given every indication that he’s not only prepared for the barrage of abuse he’s going to receive, but that he’ll actually enjoy and relish it.
Broad is tough, talented and lippy. Which makes him about as Australian as Vegemite.
Yet in a sign of the times, and the differing fortunes of the two Test nations, what was once considered the greatest compliment an Australian could give an Englishman – that they’ve ‘got a bit of Aussie in them’ – would be perceived by Broad and his teammates as the greatest insult anyone could give them.
After all, in recent times, the English have been winners, especially when it comes to the Ashes.
Which, at present, makes them decidedly un-Australian.