England’s Stuart Broad, centre, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia’s Brad Haddin on the second day of the fifth cricket test match between England and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London, Friday, Aug.21, 2009. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Most may know Stuart Broad as the baby-faced fast bowler that terrorised Australia’s batsmen in the last Ashes series. But despite playing just 29 tests for England, he’s had his fair share of on-field controversies, with his most recent indiscretion occurring at Edgbaston this week.
Recognised as one of the deadliest bowlers in England’s attack, Stuart Broad is probably one of the most feared players for the Australians in the upcoming Ashes series.
He has an outstanding ability to swing and bounce the ball, as well as achieve some awesome reverse-swing and his variation in an over is fast becoming legendary. His competency with the bat, as most bowlers are these days, makes him an even greater asset to England.
But there is another aspect to this tall Englishman’s cricket which is less than flattering.
It wasn’t his career best 8-52 performance at Trent Bridge last week which made the headlines. Instead it was yet another episode of poor sportsmanship on the pitch.
On the third day of the second test against Pakistan in Edgbaston, after collecting the ball, without any provocation, Broad propelled it at the head of Pakistan’s impressive batsman, Zulqarnain Haider. As a result of this severe lapse in judgment, Broad was rightly fined 50 percent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council, for the Level 2 offence.
It is this kind of ill-directed aggression, which prompted past England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughn to criticise the wily young bowler, whose behaviour is not dissimilar to that of his father, former England batsman, Chris Broad.
And the Edgbaston incident earlier in the week is not an isolated case.
On several occasions Broad has whinged to umpires, wasted time, displayed poor etiquette and disrespected match officials – hardly a way to play what is supposedly a ‘gentleman’s game’.
Then there were the accusations of ball tampering in January this year when England played against South Africa. Broad appeared to have deliberately stood his spiked boots into the ball, which potentially assists bowlers in achieving effective reverse swing. The allegations were vehemently denied by Broad and the England camp, and with South Africa refusing to file an official complaint, they escaped punishment from officials.
Broad is a professional cricketer. As such, the display he puts on is not becoming of such a sportsman and it is especially not in the best interest of cricket. At this elite level of the game, it is no excuse to act so immaturely simply because the going gets tough, or because your opposition starts to get under your skin, for that is simply a fact of sport. You’re bound to lose at some stage, but you can’t just go around throwing a 160 gram projectile at a batsman’s head!
For Australia’s sake I hope they get the better of Broad in the upcoming Ashes series, because his inability to handle such pressure when things don’t go his way is a massive mental weakness that can, and must be exploited.
Having undertaken a new fitness regime, and bulking up his lanky figure earlier this season, Australia can expect a stronger, fitter and yes, broader Stuart Broad come the Ashes series.
But what cricket loving fans like myself do not want to see, is the unsportsmanlike and dirty play that Stuart Broad has showcased thus far in his brief test career. For his sake, Australia’s sake, and the sake of cricket in general.
WClarke
Guest
A fair point..Broad was in the wrong, but he doesn't deserve to be singled out when we have Mitchell Johnson trying to headbutt helmeted batsmen, Ponting constantly pressuring umpires, Haddin getting fined last year and Watson being Watson etc..we don't really have grounds to get sanctimonious about an opposition cricketer threatening the spirit of cricket.
Rowdy
Guest
"But what cricket loving fans like myself do not want to see, is the unsportsmanlike and dirty play that Stuart Broad has showcased thus far in his brief test career. For his sake, Australia’s sake, and the sake of cricket in general." Where were you when Shane, Glenn, Matty, Justin, Merv and St Steve were playing ? Oh, yeah, probably lecturing the rest of the world on how batsmen should take the fielder's word etc. We do have a lower threshold of irritation at prattishness up here, and Broad certainly needs to be reined in by Strauss, but spare us the homilies, please.
Will
Guest
Agree about Swann. He has to be negated if the Ashes are to be regained.
Southern Waratah
Guest
Sorry folks, but i'm yet to see anything from Broad bowling well in conditions not conducive to swing/seam bowling. This Series may well prove me wrong but all the wickets he's be taking since the Ashes last year have been in similar conditions. Traditionally English Swing bowlers such as Hoggard, Anderson even Tudor (Who is similar in stature to Broad) have found the goings tough & haven't enjoyed success in Australia in the past after performing well in England. You could even argue Terry Alderman didn't have as great a success rate in Australia as he did in England. The hype over Broad will be answered in a few months, for me Swann will be the key man, if he can perform when the pressure is on he could be the key wicket taker.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I think it's just a slump, and yes it probably attributes to his lack of compusure on the pitch. But I think he'll be a bit weapon of theirs in the Ashes. They always come good when the Ashes come around.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
A few points... - Broad's bowling is good, but not great, and I think Melanie perhaps over-eggs the pudding. I'm sure the Australian batsmen will respect him, but I doubt they'll fear him. He can be quite innocuous for long periods but then does tend to have the occasional "golden spell" - see The Oval last year. - Mentally, he seems to be very strong and very clever. Michael Vaughan commented that he's one of the few young bowlers who doesn't need "management" from his captain - he seems to have an innate understanding of what to do at any given time (perhaps a consequence of being a cricketer's son). This makes him useful on flat pitches, when his variation and cuteness comes into its own. - Consequently, the comments above about him being a grey sky bully are somewhat misplaced - this criticism would be better applied to James Anderson, who is lethal in swinging conditions but very "hittable" in non-swinging conditions. Equally, Broad won't be worried by any crowd barracking. This is a fellow who got hit for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj Sngh a few years ago and scarcely batted an eyelid. He's a phlegmatic chap . Anderson, on the other hand, can be, to quote Justin Langer, "a bit of a pussy". - Finally, yes, Broad can be petulant and irritating but, frankly, his behaviour isn't even a tenth as bad as some of Warne's and McGrath's behaviour over the years. You also need to remember that the English cricket community generally has a very low tolerance for ungentlemanly behaviour and so Broad attracts more negative comment than he would in South Africa or Australia. He also suffers a little bit from what I would call the Shane Watson Derangement Syndrome - he's young and blond and handsome and rich, and therefore utterly loathsome to many less fortunate...
Southern Waratah
Guest
I'm with you Lollly, A bit strong? I'd call it a complete over exaggeration. Broad had one good spell in perfect swing/seam bowling conditions. He was on the verge of being dropped before the Spell in question & he only got runs in an innings where England were beaten. Mike Atherton commented at the time that "Its ok to take wickets in ideal conditions, but its another to take wickets in all conditions" As far as "Stuart Broad is probably one of the most feared players for the Australians in the upcoming Ashes series." probably the only time that's valid is in Nottingham under grey sky's with a Duke cricket ball in his hand, fast forward to Adelaide 40 degrees, bowling on a road with a kookaburra in his hands and its a different story - he'll be getting smashed. I understand where this article is going from Broads temperament perspective, but I feel Melanie you've joined the English bandwagon and overstated Broads ability, after all it wasn't that long ago we were reading 'Broads the next Flintoff" well he's now batting at 10!
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Stuart Broad embodies the word "prat". The comments are above are instructive. It's easy to carry on when the bounce of the ball goes your way, in familiar conditions and with the home crowd at your back. It will be very interesting to see how this one goes bowling at the end of a long first day in Brisbane with 100% humidity or an Adelaide Oval road in 35 degree heat, with the "support" of a well lubricated Australian crowd* ringing in his ear constantly. *Disclaimer: Of course, there will be no lubrication or even support for that matter in Sydney. All Sydney crowds will be expected to remain firmly in their seats at all times displaying a warm appreciation for good play from both sides.
Squire Gordon
Guest
He is England's version of Shane Watson, he believes that playing the tough guy means you are a tough guy. Fining players for poor onfield behaviour is a joke, these guys make at lot of money, Broad should have copped a one match ban. I think he will do OK in Australia.
Lolly
Guest
Terrorising is a bit strong isn't it? He had one good match for heaven's sake. But I'd expect him to do well in Australia. He's improved a lot in the last couple of years. I suppose the use of that language over him is just a proof of how ordinary both teams were. Although why he hasn't been picked up for celebrating without bothering to wait for a decision is beyond me. He does that a lot, every series I've watched him play. Other players have been fined for that.
Crayfish
Guest
Mental fragility is exposed in Australia like no place else. England have a long line of mentally weak cricketers who may have done well beating up outclassed opposition in England, but have been found out in Australia. Steve Harmison is the most obvious example, but there are many others. This is why Darren Gough is so respected in Australia. He played his cricket hard, but fair, and refused to be intimidated or sulk when the going got tough. While the Australian side is not as strong as it used to be, it will still pounce on and expose any weakness in the likes of Broad and James Anderson (who has never done well in Australia). This Ashes promises to be the most fascinating series yet as both teams have plenty of weak players who will be tested. Some will shine, others will be exposed.