Broad Gears Up For Biggest Challenge

Broad - coming of age.

England hope to reap the benefits from their bold decision to change their bowling line-up earlier this year when Stuart Broad faces the biggest challenge of his fledgling Test career against South Africa.

Despite a stuttering batting line-up, England chose to drop Ashes heroes Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison following their opening Test defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton and give 21-year-old Broad an extended run in the side to prove his credentials.

It was a major gamble which has paid off with Broad showing increased maturity as both a front-line seamer and lower order batsman, so much so captain Michael Vaughan has already labelled him "the most intelligent young bowler I have ever worked with."

He has claimed 15 wickets at an average of 37 since being given his chance in Wellington, a more than respectable return for a bowler at the start of their international career.

But perhaps the biggest bonus for England has been the ease in which Broad, son of former England opener Chris, has also been able to contribute runs down the order to compensate for the loss of injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in the last two series.

Broad has averaged 34.83 with the bat since being given a regular berth in the Test side for the last five matches which compares well even with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who is statistically the best number eight in Test cricket.

"I've worked on it very hard and it's great having Andy Flower in the (England) set-up as a former world number one and left-hander so he's great to work with and chat to about my batting," admitted Broad.

"It's coming on, I'm enjoying it and working hard on it and my aim is to become a Test number eight.

"If you look at Vettori he must be one of the better ones around and he's turned himself into a high-class batsman - it's that sort of example with people like Vettori and Brett Lee that I'd like to follow."

His impressive contributions down the order have included a determined 64 in the final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge - his highest Test score - and may hint at a future for him higher up the order.

For the time being, however, coach Peter Moores is determined Broad should learn his trade in the lower order before considering moving up to help out England's under-performing top six.

"I think his batting is probably at the right place at the moment," claimed Moores. "What he's done is shown all the way through his international exposure is that he can handle pressure.

"We hear a lot about players being a bit robotic and not thinking, but Stuart is definitely a thinking cricketer.

"He has game awareness, he feels situations and reacts to them and that's a really good thing to have in your side, especially in such a young man.

"He's learning really quickly and he's up for a fight which is a good trait.

"He's developing quickly as a batter and he's got some challenges to come, but he's shown at the moment that he's got a good, simple gameplan, a basic technique and a decent presence of mind so he can play. It's promising for us in the balance of the team."

While Moores may be understandably reticent about labelling Broad an all-rounder so early in his Test career - particularly as he is yet to face the fierce pace battery within South Africa's ranks - he has already won the respect of the batsmen in the England dressing room.

Middlesex left-hander Andrew Strauss has no doubts Broad has the potential to develop both sides of his game to become a genuine challenger to Flintoff as England's leading all-rounder.

"We've all been impressed by the way he (Broad) has batted since coming into the side," added Strauss. "He clearly has the talent to be a genuine all-rounder and the temperament to go with it."