Vaughan Taking Long View With Brainy Broad

Since England's captain, Michael Vaughan, praised Stuart Broad as "the most intelligent bowler I have ever worked with" it has become clear that he is a bowler of independent spirit and a keen feel for the game. Vaughan is grateful that his young bowler is not in need of mollycoddling.

The message might get through to Durham, where Steve Harmison was pressing his case for a recall after taking a hat-trick against Sussex on Sunday. There is no one better than Harmison at his best, but there is no doubt who is easier to captain. Harmison is high-maintenance; Broad is not.

When he walks out at Trent Bridge on Thursday, his first Test on his home ground, Broad will be playing only his sixth Test. Yet he already combines very different attributes - combativeness, discipline and an ability to take the right option - in a manner that would do credit to a bowler much beyond his years and which allows Vaughan more time to turn his thoughts to the bigger picture.

The bigger picture is an England side unchanged for the fifth successive Test, and one-up against New Zealand with one to play, and yesterday Broad admitted that his independence has helped him fit into the England set-up.

"I suppose Michael said I was intelligent because I've never really had to turn to him and say 'What should I do?" he said at an npower urban cricket promotion at Upton in Nottinghamshire.

"I just think on my feet and go for it. I've never relied on the captain or the coach to tell me where to bowl. I tend to try out different things if it's a really flat wicket that is not doing anything. I'm not shy about throwing a few cutters in or bowl slower balls, quicker balls, bouncers. I try to keep mixing it up.

"Obviously if it is swinging and seaming you've just got to hit an area and make the batsman play. But there are more and more flat wickets in international cricket so you have to think on your feet and buy a wicket at some stage in the game."

Broad also credits Ottis Gibson, England's bowling coach, for helping with his advancement. "He understands me and talks so simply and practically about the game," he said. "He has encouraged me to try different grips. I find if the seam goes down wobbling slightly rather than dead straight it might move more."

Harmison and Matthew Hoggard are anxious for an international return, and Graham Onions and Sajid Mahmood are attracting good reviews. England are not short of fast-bowling options, but Broad is not fazed by the competition.

"You've always got people wanting your spot and that is why English cricket is becoming quite strong," said Broad.

"But consistency of selection is quite nice and you can't argue with a record of three wins in our last four Tests."