Miller backs Broad to rediscover form
NATIONAL selector Geoff Miller has backed under-pressure Stuart Broad to rediscover his best form in time for the start of England’s Test series against India this week.
Broad’s frustrating winter – he missed the final three Ashes Tests and the denouement of England’s World Cup campaign through injury – has been followed by an equally fruitless start to the summer.
The 25-year-old struggled for wickets in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka and was dropped from the deciding match of the one-day series against the same opponents.
Broad has been included in a 12-man squad ahead of Thursday’s first Test at Lord’s and will vie for a place in the team with the re-called Tim Bresnan, who was selected ahead of Steven Finn.
England’s freshly appointed Twenty20 captain rediscovered some semblance of form with his county side Nottinghamshire against Somerset last week and Miller was impressed with Broad’s (left) response as he took match figures of 6-162.
“We watched him bowl here at Trent Bridge in the four-day game. There were signs he was getting back to where he was,” said Miller.
“We know what he is capable of doing, and when he puts on that England shirt we feel sure he will show exactly that and produce the goods and make it difficult for India.
“They [Broad and Bresnan] are two bowlers who can produce on the day, and we are looking forward to them producing at Lord’s.
“Pace and bounce would be nice for our bowlers certainly. We’ve got a strong batting line-up. But it’s about producing on the day.
“We’ve got Matt Prior coming in at number seven, which is special. We’re quite happy with our batting strength, and also with our bowling strength as well.”
ENGLAND SQUAD | FIRST TEST V INDIA
Andrew Strauss (C), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (WK), Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott.