Playing world No 1 team in my 100th Test, it can't get bigger: Stuart Broad

Broad will become only the 13th out of 673 cricketers who have turned out for England to have played in 100 or more Tests when he walks onto the ground in Rajkot.

Broad has taken 360 wickets at 28.49 in 99 Tests since making his debut in December 2007. The pacer was absolutely excited at the milestone and revealed how big an occasion it was for him.

 “I am aware how special an achievement it is because of the players that have played before me. The amount they have given to English cricket, it’s a special cap to receive. What excites me more is this 100th game being the start of a huge series for us as well,” he told The Hindu.

There is no bigger occasion than starting a series in India, against the No.1 team in the world.

It’s great to get to a milestone in such an important game because we know how vital it is to start these tours well.’

Stuart Broad

His overall record against India is impressive - 46 wickets at 23.35 - but he has struggled in India, taking only two wickets in three Tests.

Speaking about his partnership with spearhead James Anderson and the possible impact of the latter’s absence for the first Test, Broad said he is not a very different bowler without his partner beside.

“I don’t think I have been a different bowler with Jimmy not in the side. With Jimmy I communicate really well; we talk about conditions, talk about the ball, talk about reverse swing, the new batsman coming in,” he said.

“When Jimmy is not in the side, I make sure the bowling unit is sharing as much as possible because if you go quiet, you are not working together.”

Broad is of the opinion that a five-Test series gives the visitors the opportunity to get used to the conditions. “The advantage of a five-match series is that you do get a lot of time to learn from experience.

“It was four the last time around and we lost the first one (Motera). But learned so much in those conditions, took that forward and won the next two and drew the last one.

In a five-match series, you have a chance to make a mistake. Like we did last time, India beat us at Lord’s, but we won the last three Test matches to win the series.

Broad

“So, it does really give you a chance to assess conditions and get used to them a lot. But the downside is you play five Tests in six weeks. If you are not in the eleven, it doesn’t give you lot of opportunities to play cricket elsewhere, does it?”

Finally, Broad said that he considers himself more a bowler than an all-rounder despite his 2647 runs, which include a Test ton and ten half-centuries.

“I have always seen myself as a frontline seamer. My dream is to try and get the new ball for England because that’s the best chance to make an impact,” he concluded.