An addiction to Bazball has got Stuart Broad fired up for the Ashes with 100 percent job satisfaction.
The veteran fast bowler may be 36 but his competitive juices are flowing as freely as ever with a ninth Ashes campaign within touching distance. He reckons it is a series with as much hype as there was before 2005, and thanks to the style of cricket and dressing room environment created by Ben Stokes and Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum he wants to be involved in it as much and as long as possible.
“I’ve still got great hunger,” said Broad. “What do they call it, the twilight? It’s sort of the arse end of your career, isn’t it. I am 36 turning 37 but I have always said if my competitive burn goes then I won’t be the cricketer I am, but my competitive burn is alive.
“The addiction to being in this changing room is quite strong. Credit to Baz and Stokesy – they’ve made everything about playing for England 10 out of 10. So if you’ve still got your desire on the competitive side, and everything else is a 10 out of 10, it gets back to a dream job.
“It is a great group to be around, it brings me energy and at my age, enjoyment is one of the greatest things you’re looking for in your job, and my enjoyment is 10 out of 10. I feel very competitive for this Ashes series. It is the biggest build up I’ve seen since 05. I’m loving the circus, the to and fro between the players. It’s a bit like a boxing match building up to Edgbaston."
And there has hardly been a more compelling duel than Broad vs David Warner which was won seven times out of ten in 2019 by the England man who is ready for more.
“I’m looking forward to going to battle with Davey again,” he said. “At the end of Hobart last time, we shared a glass of red and didn’t know if we would play against each other again. He’s fiery and competitive, which brings out the best in me. Hopefully we can go to battle again.”
The truth is though that, even with 576 Test wickets in his 161 matches, there is a chance Broad might not make the cut. He is certain to play against Ireland next week at Lord’s and put down a marker, while James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood are set to be rested which will make selection for Australia a real contest.
There was a time when Broad would rail against such an affront to his abilities, but he can appreciate the bigger picture and maybe even fatherhood has mellowed him a touch…off the field that is.
“‘Give your heart and soul for every moment you are on the field,’ is what Stokesy says,” added Broad. “It is having the mindset that whatever wickets you take in Ashes cricket are vitally important. Whether you take 25 in five Tests or you take seven in one and those seven win you the series, they are all as important.
“Being a dad has freed me up in a way, relaxed me. When you do see that smile, you forget about everything else. Ultimately nothing really matters apart from her health.”
Broad will also be charging into bowl this summer with a slightly different tune ringing around the ground after a tie up with Marmite has persuaded the Barmy Army to ditch the song about him being 'big and bad and better than his dad!'
Instead it is a new ditty to the tune of ABBA classic 'Voulez Vous?' - to which there is surely only one answer. The Ashes.
Marmite & The Barmy Army have composed a new song for Stuart Broad ahead of The Ashes. Follow @Marmite on Instagram & TikTok to see the results #SpreadTheLove.
