San Francisco Frontiers - Broad reveals Australia inspiration behind rise to 600 Test wickets

Four-time Ashes series-winner Broad achieved the feat on the opening day of the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford on Wednesday when he had Travis Head caught in the deep by Joe Root.

It was the second of two wickets in the seamer's haul of 2-68 with Australia 299-8 at stumps after being sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes in a match the hosts have to win, at 2-1 down to play, if they are to regain the Ashes.

Broad has often starred against Australia, having spent his youth witnessing numerous England defeats by their arch-rivals.

Following a 1986/87 triumph in Australia where Broad's father, Chris Broad, scored three hundreds, it was not until 2005 that England next won an Ashes series -- two years before Stuart Broad's Test debut.

"I grew up completely obsessed watching Ashes cricket and I suppose that's why some of my heroes are Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, some of the great Aussie team," Broad told a post-play news conference on Wednesday.

"As a kid you are influenced by winning sides. It also built up my steeliness to want to be part of England teams that could win the Ashes after going through a whole childhood without us lifting them.

"I probably grew up with a bit more of an Australian mindset rather than a sort of England mindset of the (19) 90s."

Broad, the leading bowler on either side in this series with 18 wickets, has been a rejuvenated cricketer since skipper Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took charge of England's Test side last year.

In that time Broad has taken 87 wickets in 14 Tests, having feared for his international future after being left out from a tour of the West Indies in March 2022.

"Ultimately Baz (McCullum) and Stokesy have given me a new lease of life in a way," he said.

"It is such a free changing room. There is no fear of failure or judgement, it's about moving the game forward and that suits me. I owe a lot in the last 14 months to the way Baz and Stokes have brought energy to the group."

Broad added: "I would argue it's been the most enjoyable year of my Test career which is an awesome thing to say at 37 years old."

F.Edwards--SFF