Ashes 2013-14: England’s Stuart Broad relishing villain role
Ashes 2013-14: Stuart Broad says he is relishing his role as pantomime villain when England make trip to Australia this winter
Stuart Broad says he is relishing his role as pantomime villain when the England bowler lines up for the first Ashes Test in Australia next month.
The 27-year-old was the subject of controversy during the summer series when he failed to walk after his edge was not spotted during the first Test against the tourists this summer.
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann branded Broad a cheat following the incident before later apologising to the England bowler for his outburst at Trent Bridge.
Broad was named as part of England’s squad for the return series this winter, and the all-rounder is excited about the prospect of winning a fourth straight Ashes Down Under.
“I’m excited – it gets the blood going a little bit,” Broad told BBC Sport.
“An Ashes Test is always going to be lively.
“I think I will get singled out for some stick but I’m not going to take that as a personal attack.
“Guys come out to the cricket to have a few beers and a bit of banter and then they go home and chill. It’s part and parcel. Premier League footballers get it every weekend.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoy it, but I think it will improve my cricket. Big games I tend to thrive off. I love the moments in games that something needs to happen. I think when I am getting a bit of stick it will give me a bit more.”
