England have no fear - Broad
England paceman Stuart Broad said Monday he was approaching this
month's Ashes series with no fear and was ready for the challenge
against Australia.
The temperamental bowling giant said his teammates will thrive on any
Australian taunts during the five Tests as England search for their
first series win Down Under in 23 years.
England last won a Test series in Australia in 1986-87 and their last
tour to the Lucky Country finished in a humiliating 5-0 whitewash.
Firebrand
The Nottinghamshire firebrand said anything the Aussies dished out
would only serve as motivation for the England team.
"I'd expect the Aussies to get under each of our players' skin, but
it's not something we're scared of, it's something we're going to thrive
on," Broad told reporters on Monday.
"I'm certainly coming here without any fear and just looking to enjoy
the experience.
"It's good we've had some players who have been here before to share
their experiences and communicate with the boys about where we can
improve. "But it's a different group from last time, it's a different
set-up. So we are coming here confident."
No illusions
Broad, 24, said England were under no illusions about how tough the
coming months would be for Andrew Strauss's team.
"I mean Australia are one of the best teams in the world and we as an
England team want to become the best team in the world," he said. "So
you can only do that by coming here and performing strongly." Broad, who
was docked 50 percent of his match fee earlier this year for petulantly
throwing the ball at batsman Zulqarnain Haider during the second Test
against Pakistan at Edgbaston last August, said he would have to keep
his emotions in check in what is shaping up to be a tense series.
Competitive
"I know I bowl at my best when I'm in a bit of a bubble and
emotionally competitive," he said.
"But obviously I need to find the right balance to that." Broad has
become a key member of England's Test set-up since breaking through for
his debut three years ago, averaging 28 with the bat and taking 97
wickets at 34 in 32 Tests.
He starred in England's Ashes win last year, claiming 5-37 to help
skittle out Australia for 160 in the first innings of the fifth and
deciding Test at The Oval.
England had a minor scare at Monday's training when leading spinner
Graeme Swann took a painful blow to his right thumb while batting in the
WACA Ground nets.
Not serious
However, an England team spokesman said the injury was not serious
and Swann was expected to be available for the three-day match against
Western Australia starting on Friday.
"Yeah, he's fine. It's just a bit of precautionary strapping," Broad
said.
"I don't think he's in any trouble at all. He just got a bit of a
blow, which you're used to.
"I think he's pleased his thumb got him out of the running
(session)." PERTH, Australia, Tuesday (AFP)
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