Andy Flower has asked Stuart Broad to shed the tag of an enforcer and target on some accurate bowling, which has yielded rich results for James Anderson and Chris Tremlett, the two fast bowlers who are the sure starters in the first Test against India. Broad is competing for a place in that lineup with Tim Bresnan, another one who focuses on swing and some tight line and length.
Braod has struggled ever since his injury during the last Ashes. He struggled during the World cup, despite a match winning four wicket haul against South Africa. He was wicket less in the one day series against Sri Lanka and was dropped for the final game. He went back to the county circuit and is now back in the England team after a five wicket haul.
Broad has been at the receiving end of some criticism after David Saker, the England bowling coach, called him the team’s enforcer. Saker also called Broad as the best bowler in the world in bowling bouncers. That comment made it clear that it was the team’s strategy that made Broad, continuously bowl short balls at the Sri Lankan batsmen, despite being hit for runs.
Flower’s comments are in sharp contrast to that strategy as he now wants Broad to return to the basics. Flower also said that he hated the word “enforcer” and wanted Broad to get away from it. He wanted the young fast bowler to create pressure by being tight around the off stump.
It is a surprising statement from Flower. The Indians are not fond of short pitch bowling and despite his bad form, Broad does have a mean bouncer that is effective when targeted at the batsman’s body. Flower’s comments show that bouncing the Indians is likely to be given to Tremlett, who has the ability to swing the ball even while bowling back of the length.
Bresnan has been very economical in the recent past and if Tremlett is given the role of the aggressor, then Broad is most likely to be left behind for the first Test. However, Flower was quick to concede that the XI for that game has not yet been decided.
The weather and the track could also play a big role in this selection. This selection could well be the most important one as the Indians are most likely to target either Bresnan or Broad.