Broad ready to spar with southpaws

Stuart Broad duels with the great Indian right-hander Sachin Tendulkar in Mohali

Stuart Broad expects West Indies’ dangerous lefties to pose new questions of England in the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean.

Left-handers Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Brendan Nash are all expected to feature for West Indies in the opening Test against at Sabina Park, Kingston, starting on February 4.

In contrast, India fielded just two left-handed batsmen in the recent Test series - opener Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.

“West Indies have some world-class batsmen, and some dangerous left-handers,” Broad told ecb.co.uk.

“I think Chris Gayle is one of the most exciting batsmen out there in world cricket.

“I’ve been working on my lines and lengths to left-handers; they certainly have more lefties than India did.

“I'm told the West Indies is one of the best tours to go on, and I’m very excited about the chance of playing Tests in countries I’ve not been to before.”

Andrew Strauss takes over the England captaincy for the four-Test series, a single Twenty20 international and five one-day matches against Gayle’s improving Windies side, who drew their recent Test series in New Zealand.

At just 22, Broad is a formidable all-round prospect and sure to be one of Strauss' key weapons in every format.

Had he been born a decade earlier, he surely would have relished the quick, bouncy tracks that used to prevail in the Caribbean.

His father Chris, played 25 Tests and 34 ODIs in the 1980s, but in a strange twist, won not a single cap in the West Indies.

In contrast, Stuart was part of the England side that travelled to the Caribbean for the Stanford venture in Antigua.

After a miserly spell against Middlesex, Broad was one of the unfortunate England bowlers on the receiving end of Gayle's phenomenal assault in the 20/20 for 20 showdown.

Skipper Andrew Strauss talks shop with Broad in his first England series, against Pakistan in 2006

Broad also toured the West Indies with England A in early 2006.

If named in the Test XI, there is the further prospect of Tests in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and the new Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

“Aside from Antigua, I’ve also played in Barbados and St Lucia, and the wickets are certainly are a lot slower than they used to be,” said the Nottinghamshire all-rounder.

“When the West Indies had their four quicks, cricket in the Caribbean was really exciting.

“I like to see the ball go through and bounce because it creates good cricket. I’ve not played on some of the grounds but at the World Cup they were quite slow wickets.

“But it will be a good test of my skill. Reverse-swing will be important. Wicket-taking balls will still get batsmen out even on good wickets.

“We have to remember they have some lightning fast bowlers as well.”

Broad's rise has been meteoric. He only made his first-class debut in 2005; a year later he was opening the bowling in the one-day international series against Pakistan.

His captain on that day in Cardiff was Strauss, and Broad confirmed that the new England skipper is exactly the relaxed and unflappable character he appears to be from the outside.

“He’s a quality player," said Broad. "He’s cool, calm and an excellent guy off the pitch, which helps a lot.

“It’s been a tough few days, but we’re all determined to unite and beat the West Indies.

“Andrew’s not lost a match as a Test captain, and we want to keep that run going as long as possible.”