sport news Stuart Broad insists Brendon McCullum's high-risk Test strategy at Trent Bridge ... trends now
Stuart Broad has warned supporters that the exhilarating gamble in a Trent Bridge win he ranks as highly as any in his career will become the rule rather than the exception of England’s developing Test strategy.
‘We are going to risk defeat because, even if we had lost, it’s still more inspiring than blocking out for a draw or never having a scent of victory,’ Broad said.
‘We believe we will win more than we lose playing this style and that we can win games from any position. Only when you start doubting yourself do you tend to mess things up.
Stuart Broad (above) says Brendon McCullum's high-risk strategy with England is the way to go
‘Of course, there are going to be times we say a positive option is to get a draw because a win is not within our reach.
‘Earlier this year, in Sydney, was an example of a positive draw. We batted the full day and saw the game out nine wickets down. Saving games is still relevant. There was no point slogging a ball up in the air in the last over of that Test.’
Against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, though, infected by coach Brendon McCullum’s positivity pandemic, England never blinked in their pursuit of a 299-run target. Even at 93 for four on Tuesday.
‘We needed 160 runs at tea and in that scenario, even if you can get it to eight wickets down needing 80, you can still do it. Eight wickets down, needing 350, you can’t,’ Broad continued. ‘Anything achievable, we will hunt and go for now because this week proved that the talent is there in the team to go and do it.’
The exuberance in Broad’s voice belies the fact he turns 36 this week. The clarity in it, a contrast to last winter when his axing from a side on a losing streak raised the question whether his international days were behind him.
England beat New Zealand by five wickets on an epic final day at Trent Bridge last week
Two games into a new era, however, he is left reflecting on one of the most remarkable Tests in history — one which contained 24 sixes, the most in a match in England, and saw Ben Stokes’s side score their runs at 4.7 runs per over throughout.
‘This was right up there in terms of results in my Test career because of the style of the win, it being my home ground and a full house on the last day,’ Broad said.
‘Then, consider the position we were in, conceding 553 in the first innings. To take 20 wickets on a pitch like that also deserves a lot of credit.
‘The Headingley Ashes Test of 2019 for the drama, the feeling sick
