Seamer relished being leader of England's attack, says Bumble
Friday 7 August 2015 14:05, UK
Stuart Broad will “motor” towards 400 Test-match wickets after destroying Australia on day one of the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, says David Lloyd.
Broad stormed past the 300-wicket mark - just the fifth English bowler to achieve the feat - with a stunning haul of 8-15 as Alastair Cook’s men skittled the Baggy Greens for 60 before lunch.
The 29-year-old, who now has 307 Test scalps to his name, is England’s most senior bowler in Nottingham with James Anderson - 413 wickets from 107 matches - absent with a side strain.
“Broad has had a few niggling injuries throughout his career but his action has remained the same since he was a gangly youngster at Leicestershire,” Bumble told Sky Sports.
“He now has experience, which is invaluable at this level, and as someone who is fit and strong he can motor through the 300s.
“Broad would have relished stepping up with no Anderson and he was absolutely brilliant - England were sensational but he was the leader.”
"He has been the best England bowler throughout the series and his line and length this morning was great. He got the ball up there, made the batsmen play and exposed bad techniques."
Sir Ian Botham - a member of England's 300-wicket club, alongside Anderson, Bob Willis, Fred Trueman and now Broad - also heaped praise on the quick.
The Sky Sports pundit feels Broad was rewarded for some excellent spells earlier in the Ashes series en route to his 14th Test-match five-for and sixth against Australia.
But the former England all-rounder says Alastair Cook’s side’s sharpness in the field must not be overlooked, with Ben Stokes, in particular, pouching a stunning one-handed take at fifth slip.
“I give him 10 out of 10,” Beefy added of Broad, whose figures were the third best by an Englishman against Australia after Jim Laker’s 10-53 and 9-37 at Old Trafford in 1956.
“He had to step up the plate with Anderson out and he did - he has been bowling that really nagging length that gets players playing and today everything clicked.
“I also thought the catching was excellent – Stokes' one was behind him!”
Coverage of the fourth Ashes Test from Trent Bridge continues live on Sky Sports Ashes HD. You can also watch the fourth Test with a NOW TV Sports Day Pass. Plus, our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.
