Stuart Broad has that look in his eye that only a few sportsmen get. Lewis Hamilton has it, Tiger Woods has it, Phil Taylor always got it when about to hit a ridiculous three dart check out. When these top sports stars smell blood they go in for the kill like a beast on its pray, few have the attributes and attitude, which makes those that can stand out from the rest.

Little over two weeks ago we aired Stuart Broad’s frustration after being ‘rested’ from England’s first test against West Indies at Southampton due to selectors stating, ‘the pitch and conditions’ on that occasion were perhaps ‘not for him’.

The real reason was perhaps less sinister, it may have been to give ‘all’ of England’s bowlers a go in this series following a longer than expected layoff and with both Broad and his fellow opening bowling partner in crime Jimmy Anderson now at the tail end of their fabulous careers the decision was perhaps made on the basis of resting the second best bowler England have ever produced (instead of the best) to allow space for one of the younger ones to show what they can do?

The decision however backfired. England lost and Broad was rightly re-instated at Old Trafford, this time in place of Anderson for the second test which England won. Broad taking 3-66 in West Indies first innings whilst claiming 3-42 in the second to help wrap up a 113 run win. This weekend Broad has done even better than that. A stunning 62 from 45 balls with the bat, a ferocious 6/21 with the ball to wipe the Windies out in the first innings. Broad taking three second innings wickets to claim his 500th test wicket and help England close in on a series win.

I remember Broad’s face when interviewed about ‘why’ England had chosen to initially drop him… Not without disappointment, not passing it off as being ‘rested’ knowing that he’ll be back later on in the series, but with anger, with disapproval… You might think Stuart Broad is a man coming towards the end of his career and happy to pass the baton over after 130 plus tests but in the words of Stuart Broad “I’ve probably bowled the best I’ve ever bowled in the last couple of years”… Suggestion from the man himself that he was far from ready to sit on the sidelines and watch others play in his place.

Those eyes that day in the interview room were exactly the same as the eyes of Tiger Woods chasing down a nervous novice to win a major on the back nine, they were the eyes that smelled blood at Trent Bridge in 2011 when taking a hat-trick against India to send a packed Saturday home crowd wild, they were the eyes that saw blood to take 8-15 in the Ashes of 2015 to help bowl out Australia for just 60 at the very same venue, they were the eyes that put fear into David Warner every time he crossed the ropes during the 2019 Ashes series. Eyes of a winner, and Broad still has those eyes.

Born into a sporting family, Stuart is famously the son of former Notts and England batsmen Chris, I suppose sport and competition is in his DNA, which is why he still has those eyes today. When comparing him to Jimmy Anderson it can be like chalk and cheese. I often refer to Messi and Ronaldo, whilst one is a ‘natural born superstar’ the other has ‘worked at his game’ to get to the very top. Jimmy, the king of the swingers can pick up a ball after being months out, casually trot in to the crease and stick it wherever he wants… For Broad he has had to work on his game, he still does, post lockdown he was the first Notts player back at Trent Bridge, in for training, working on his action, working on his run up, making the finer adjustments in keep tweaking to improve, a fuller ball these days, big changes on his style from earlier in his game, like Cristiano Ronaldo, first in, last out, working on fitness and technique to be the best, driven in becoming the best by a close acquainted competitor who’s naturally better, whilst Messi and Anderson just turn up and casually make people look silly as natural as it can be.

That competitive streak is what sets Stuart Broad apart, often angry, agitated, he can sound at times like a spoiled brat, but when you understand his reasons you understand he’s simply a winner. Good mates off the field with Anderson they have struck up the most famous bowling partnership England have ever had. The relaxed manor of Jimmy complements the more feisty and volatile Broad and with over 1,000 test wickets between them only Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath can compare as a more deadly bowling international attack.

For Stuart Broad to be still proving the doubters wrong aged 34 is testament to Stuart Broad the sportsman, the athlete, the legend himself, his way is the best way because he’s a born winner ready to do what it takes to get the best results for him and his team, his way will be remembered by cricket fans forever, steaming in often at the Radcliffe Road End stumps flying everywhere. Whilst there is no reason to suggest that Broad is far from finished yet, his legacy should he quit tomorrow will always be intact, a true great in the game of cricket, and one made in Notttingham too.

*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).

*Main image @TrentBridge Stuart Broad has been in dominant bowling action against the West Indies.