Stuart Broad believes a return to Pakistan can breathe life into England’s ‘Bazball’ project.
The Test side’s aggressive approach first blossomed in a historic 3-0 series win in Pakistan two years ago as Harry Brook and Rehan Ahmed broke through.
Brendon McCullum’s side wilted in similar spin-friendly subcontinental conditions against India but Broad believes England can survive and thrive this time.
“I think the style will work in Pakistan, for sure,” said Broad, owner of 604 Test wickets, who been working with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to support the launch of Inside Lord’s.
“It was a great tour to Pakistan in 2022, all the players really enjoyed it and ultimately, England’s batting group are wonderful players of spin.
“I think they’re really positive and aggressive, they can find the boundary and don’t get tied down by spin. England will have to play that fast-paced cricket to force results over there, because you generally do need five days to make something happen.”
Pakistan are in poor form across formats and were humbled by Bangladesh by ten wickets in their last Test outing, having crashed out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage.
Broad urged England to capitalise, as well as be wary of the hosts looking to exploit the callow nature of a fast-bowling group led by Chris Woakes.
Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse have bags of talent but only 19 Test caps between them, with Mark Wood ruled out due to injury and skipper Ben Stokes not yet fit to bowl.
“Pakistan have not been playing the best cricket,” said Broad. “They’ve been struggling, so England should see that as a positive and go there trying to apply pressure to that team as soon as they possibly can.
“But we always know Pakistan, they’ve got world-class talent and players that can win a game on their own. It won’t be an easy challenge.
“The surfaces (in Pakistan) were a bit slower and turned but in their recent series, they’ve had a bit of green grass on, actually, and carried through a bit more. I don’t know which way Pakistan will lean on their pitches – they might leave a bit of grass on, seeing an inexperienced bowling group from England.”
Results have not always followed plaudits when it comes to England’s buccaneering approach to Tests, but Broad remains bullish about the team’s trajectory.
“There has been a changeover of personnel, so it’ll take a bit of time to embed what the style is into those players, but a lot of them have just settled in fantastically,” said Broad.
“Jamie Smith, for example, has been brought in to do that role, to accelerate when we lose wickets, and he’s done it wonderfully throughout the summer.
“As a cricket fan, a Test match fan, an England fan, I think what Brendon and Ben have done is a wonderful thing. Yes, the results have been inconsistent on the odd occasion, but I’d much prefer us to have a go at things and try and win every single game than lose being negative.
“It’s been an amazing style for young players to learn their game and have amazing freedom. The key to it is the consistency in selection.”
Stuart Broad was talking ahead of the launch of Inside Lord’s. Lord’s Cricket Ground’s new digital platform: https://www.lords.org/lords/inside-lord-s/your-inside-lords