England can thrive against Pakistan and South Africa, says Stuart Broad
Wednesday 30 September 2015 09:06, UK
Stuart Broad says England are ready “to do some damage” against South Africa when they visit the southern hemisphere this winter after the series with Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
England are preparing to fly out to the UAE and will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan, live and exclusive on Sky Sports.
They will then travel to South Africa in December to take on the No 1 ranked side in Test cricket and Broad is under no illusion about the scale of the task facing England over the next four months.
"It's a tough winter," Broad told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I don't think any side have beaten Pakistan in the UAE so that's a huge challenge first of all and then going to South Africa, who are a team that personally, I have never beaten in a Test series.
"They've had world class players all the way through their Test playing years. We know South Africa is a tough place to go but it's also a brilliant place and it will be a good, fun tour.
"The wickets offer a little bit of seam, but also if you get in as a batsman you can score heavily. I think we've got a team that's quite nicely balanced to do well in South Africa.
"We've got experienced players who can score a lot of runs and have scored a lot of runs out there, but also young guys who are completely fearless.
"They will take the game to South Africa so it will be a very special series to be involved in.
"A few of us have been around a long time and we know how tough South Africa are to beat, so it's exciting going there knowing we've got a squad that can do some damage in that part of the world."
Ian Bell, who became just the third Englishmen to win the Ashes five times following the summer triumph against Australia, insists the hard work for this side begins right now.
"For this group it's the start of a journey. There is an appetite for learning and the guys aren't scared of a challenge either," he said.
"I think when you put all that in there with the ability as well, then there are some really exciting things around the corner.
"It's always hard coming off the high of an Ashes series, and as Broady touched upon, nobody has beaten Pakistan in the UAE so we know we can't just turn up and expect to win.
"We have to earn anything out there and play really well and the same goes for South Africa, so there's a lot of hard work to do but hopefully we'll get the results from that."
England have included Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales in the travelling party for the Pakistan series' but appearing on Sky Sports News HQ earlier in the day, captain Alastair Cook hinted Moeen Ali could partner him at the top of the order.
Ali was used at number eight during the Ashes series but the Worcestershire all-rounder admitted he would relish the chance of opening the batting alongside the England skipper.
"I'm pretty happy wherever really - I'd love to open in the UAE if given the opportunity but I'm also happy to bat at eight," he said.
"I enjoy batting with Broady at eight or nine as well but if the captain and the coach wanted me to open then I'd be happy to do it."
