Broad grows under Flower tutelage

Andy Flower passes on some batting advice to Stuart Broad after his appointment as assistant coach in 2007

Stuart Broad cannot wait to resume work with Andy Flower, whom he credits for transforming him into an international all-rounder.

Flower was yesterday appointed England team director, almost two years after being named Peter Moores’ assistant coach.

The former Zimbabwe batsman made a positive impression as acting coach during the tour of West Indies, following Moores' departure in early January.

However, this was no surprise to Broad, who broke into the England set-up at the end of the 2006 summer, during England’s limited-overs series against Pakistan.

Back then Broad was seen mainly as an emerging fast bowler but, under the former number one Test batsman’s tutelage, he quickly established himself as a capable lower-order run-maker.

Asked how Flower has helped his game, the Nottinghamshire man told ecb.co.uk: “Certainly with my batting, having him as a left-hander and ex-world number one.

“He’s great to talk to about basics and game plans for left-handers and that’s helped me score some early runs in my Test career. Hopefully I can kick on and push on this summer.”

This summer, of course, will be Broad and Flower’s greatest challenge yet.

Flower's guidance has helped Broad develop from promising all-rounder into an international batsman

It begins with a re-match against West Indies before the World Twenty20 takes place on these shores, ahead of the eagerly-awaited Ashes.

And Broad believes Flower’s recent experience of playing the international game - his last Zimbabwe appearance was in 2003 - can only help England’s cause.

“He’s been a world-class player throughout his career and just churned out runs, and that will help players learn off him,” Broad continued.

“Just to have him around is a fantastic influence. To have him as top man is a great challenge for him and certainly the players are very excited to work under him.”

Before the international summer begins Broad will return to action with his county, who host Worcestershire at Trent Bridge next week in Division One of the LV= County Championship.

Nottinghamshire are aiming to go one better than last year when they led the championship during the closing weeks, only to lose their final game to Hampshire and surrender the title to Durham.

Fortunately 22-year-old Broad, who has been with England all winter - in Antigua for the Stanford 20/20 for 20, plus gruelling tours of India and the West Indies - is feeling relatively fresh.

“It has been quite a tough winter with lot of overs bowled and a lot of time in the field, but at my age - and I’ve worked quite hard on my fitness - I feel quite strong at the moment,” he revealed.

Broad admitted he enjoyed a well-earned breather last week following a demanding winter tour schedule with England

“I had a nice week off and I’m just looking forward to an English summer. We’ll be playing this time next week and I’m very excited about it.”

Broad’s early-season availability is a bonus for Nottinghamshire after he turned down the opportunity to play in the Indian Premier League.

Having made playing in the Ashes his 2009 priority, he has no regrets about missing this year’s razzmatazz in South Africa.

“A lot of the boys flew out to the IPL two or three days after we got back from the West Indies,” Broad continued.

“At this moment in my career I felt I needed a little break - obviously it’s not been a huge break - to get back in the four-day stuff and concentrate on the Test matches.

“I want to get into the Ashes side. That’s been a dream of mine, and so has the Twenty20 too.

“There’s a lot of time to do that and one day I’d love to play in the IPL, but I have this moment to try to cement a place in the Test side.”