Broad wins Morris praise

The improving Stuart Broad has become an established member of the England side

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Click here to watch the full interview with Hugh Morris on ECBtv

Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, hailed the huge strides made by Stuart Broad after he was awarded a central contract.

The 22-year-old all-rounder was among the dozen players handed a 12-month contract by the ECB today, having cemented his place in both the Test and one-day sides during a prosperous summer.

Broad averaged 53 with the bat in the npower Test series defeat by South Africa and was equally impressive with the ball during England’s 4-0 NatWest Series triumph.

His feats have been recognised on the global stage, with Broad shortlisted for the Emerging Player award at the International Cricket Council annual awards ceremony tomorrow.

It represents the next step on a seemingly inexorable march to the top of the game, which has taken him from a first-class debut in 2005, via the England Under-19 side, to an established member of the senior England team.

“Stuart has done incredibly well over the past few years - ever since he broke into county cricket and went on to play for England Under-19s,” Morris told ECBtv.

“It’s very much an upward curve for him and we’re delighted that he’s got to a position where he’s got a central contract. We recognise all the things he’s achieved in that time.”

Morris paid tribute to Broad’s progress as a batsman, while hailing the impact he made with the ball during the NatWest Series, when his blistering spell of 5-23 set up a 10-wicket win in the second match at Trent Bridge.

“He was a batter when he was a youngster at school - clearly, he played really well (with the bat) in the Test series,” added Morris.

“But the way his bowling had progressed, particularly in the one-day series against South Africa, has been incredibly encouraging to watch.”