Broad answers fresh questions
Source -
thisisleicestershire.co.uk
Twenty20 cricket was designed to centre on batsmen thrilling crowds by walloping bowlers all around grounds up and down the country.
Somebody ought to explain that to Leicestershire Foxes' seamer Stuart Broad.
Nobody has ever questioned the 20-year-old's talent but his selection in the squad for this season 20-over campaign did raise one or two questions.
The answers have been much the same as Broad has produced in any other form of the game as he has taken wickets and kept the flow of runs down to a remarkable low.
"I've surprised myself by how well it has gone," he said. "Somebody told me that I have the best economy rate in the country.
"But I just run in as hard as I do in the Championship and make sure that I have a presence on the batters - if you let them feel relaxed, anything can happen. I feel that gives me the best chance."
So far that has led to 10 wickets at around 10 runs each but most importantly he has conceded runs at just a tad over four an over.
The feeling is that a call-up to the England squad at either Test or one-day level is just around the corner for a player who has taken the eye of just about everybody who has watched him since his emergence last summer. What price a call into the England squad for the final Test against Pakistan next week now that the series is wrapped up? And he could be in line for a place in the squad for the Champions Trophy, announced later today.
Broad is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of a packed house at Trent Bridge on Saturday as Leicestershire look to win the Twenty20 Cup for the second time in three years.
And, although some still frown on the short form of the game, Broad believes it has helped him add to his armoury. "I think it has assisted my game," he said. "Playing in front of the big crowds we get for Twenty20 cricket is as close as you will get to the international game.
"It is also a different mentality. In Championship cricket, you are always trying to get wickets. In Twenty20 it is also about runs - 2-60 from four overs can harm your side! We've got some experienced players in our side who have helped the younger lads. We all know our roles, too, when we go out.
"We also try to work on our intensity, keeping it going for the whole 20 overs. You have to make sure that you keep firing in as a bowler and don't let the batters get on top."
Twenty20 can provide an intimidating arena, particularly for bowlers who know that they are on a hiding to nothing.
Broad's temperament, and his desire to take wickets, has not failed him and that is one of the key reasons Leicestershire have a shot at silverware this season.
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