Butcher backs Broad to shine against West Indies

Robin MILLARD

Mark Butcher tipped Stuart Broad to make the breakthrough and establish himself as a senior England cricketer in time for the Ashes provided he seizes his chance during the tour of the West Indies.

The former England batsman told AFP the 22-year-old Nottinghamshire fast bowler could become a force to be reckoned with in the international game if he lives up to his potential with the bat.

Broad has played 10 Tests for England since making his debut in December 2007 but the son of ex-England opener Chris faces strong competition for a place in the side.

"It might be a big trip for somebody like Stuart Broad," Butcher said.

The 36-year-old Surrey captain said he ran into Broad last week during the filming of a sports quiz show. "I was saying, 'you're useful with the bat', he said 'Oh, you know, I think I'm probably going to be a number eight'," Butcher recounted.

"I said 'no, you'll be better than that!'. He might find himself having to do a bit more than chip in down the order, which is great. He's a fantastic bowler, a real good competitor, so it might be a big trip for him."

Butcher, who captained England in Nasser Hussain's absence for a Test against tourists New Zealand in 1999, said Kevin Pietersen had put a lid on the furore that saw him demoted back to the ranks and coach Peter Moores sacked with his innings of 103 in England's opening tour match against a St. Kitts Invitational XI.

"It's a perfect response. I didn't expect anthing less," said the left-handed opening batsman.

"I don't see any problems particularly with the captaincy issues and the coach issues, I think that's had its moment," Butcher added.

"He's handled himself with a great deal of dignity since the whole thing blew up. I can't help but think that he's been let down somewhere along the line," Butcher said of the South Africa-born shotmaker.

"But Andrew Strauss is going to be a top captain of the side, so Kevin Pietersen will just go back into the ranks and score his runs, there's no doubt about that."

Butcher, who played 71 Tests before his last appearance in December 2004, warned the West Indies - seventh in the rankings, while England are fifth - were a resurgent force.

"I think the West Indies are emerging," he said.

"They've got a nice pack of young, quick bowlers, and obviously with the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, they've got three very experienced Test batsmen. "If the fringe players and younger players and get their act together and chip in, they'll be a good side."

The first Test gets underway on February 4 in Jamaica.

LONDON, Wednesday AFP