Broad Begins to Make an All-round Name for Himself

While Andrew Flintoff languishes at home in Lancashire, wondering whether his chronic ankle injury will ever heal enough to allow him to recover the all-conquering style of old, a new England all-rounder of very different mood is quietly assembling a winning habit.

Stuart Broad is not the new Andrew Flintoff, so do not even imagine as much, but as he proves his ability to win one-day matches for England in tight situations, he is looking a young cricketer of substance, a fast bowler who might one day gain the mantle of a genuine all-rounder.

Broad averages 31 with the bat in 19 ODIs and, interestingly, that is identical to Flintoff. The figure is hugely inflated by not-outs, but perhaps that just amplifies the fact that while Flintoff's batting can be as lax as it is destructive, Broad has an unyielding approach that will enable him to reach his full batting potential.

Broad remains a No9 with ambitions to be a No8. He has still to make his Test debut, although hopes to steal a place on the Sri Lanka tour before Christmas. He is not remotely in Flintoff's league as a destructive batsman. Yet during his brief one-day career he has played a nerveless part in three narrow victories, matches in which England have put their recent one-day track record behind them.

Statistically, not too much can be claimed for Broad's five unbeaten runs as England edged out West Indies in the World Cup, but after losing the guidance of Paul Nixon with victory in sight he saw the victory home with one ball to spare. "Bridgetown helped me settle into the international scene," Broad said. "Paul Nixon taught me to break a run chase down into little targets. I suppose I stole his cues and took them into my own game."

Then came Old Trafford last summer when Broad and Ravi Bopara shared a record ODI stand of 99 for the seventh wicket to edge out India with two overs left. Broad dutifully amassed an England-best 45 not out. Finally came Dambulla on Sunday as England took a 2-1 lead against Sri Lanka in a five-match series thanks to his unbeaten 20 in 44 balls on a sluggish pitch that seemed wholly unsuited to his upright offside drives. "I don't see it as pressure," Broad said. "It is a chance to win a game for England. You have to get the buzz. It is an exciting place to be because batting where I do gives you a chance to win a game or lose a game."

Broad has also been asked to fulfil Flintoff's role as third seamer, albeit reluctantly. "To start with, I was a bit disappointed because I had been taking the new ball," he said. "In my head, I am keeping the pressure on the opening bowlers, keeping the standards high."

Conceding six sixes in an over to Yuvraj Singh during World Twenty20 last month has not affected him. "It happened, I can't get away from it, but I haven't lost sleep over it," he said. "I've not seen the replays. It doesn't interest me to watch it again."

Paul Collingwood, meanwhile, is expected to play in tomorrow's fourth ODI in Colombo despite a scan on the right shoulder jolted when he failed to take a return catch in the first ODI in Dambulla. The captain has since played in two matches and bowled 15 overs with no obvious ill effects. The scan has been sent to London for further analysis.