0
LONDON: Stuart Broad believes England's seamers can overcome testing conditions and help inspire an Ashes series victory over old rivals Australia.
Broad told the latest issue of The Wisden Cricketer magazine that although spin-king Graeme Swann had been identified as a potential match-winner, England's seamers may hold the key to a successful Ashes campaign.
England have not prevailed in an away Ashes series for 24 years, and were thumped 5-0 by the Australians on their last visit Down Under.
But Broad believes England's bowlers could prove a potent force this year even on wickets which historically have not favored seamers.
“A lot of people talk about how flat Australia is but seam bowlers have quite a lot of success out there,” Broad said.
“You've got to hit the deck hard on and around off stump. I think we've got a seam attack that could do some damage.”
Broad also rejected suggestions that the inexperience of England's bowling line-up, only James Anderson has toured Australia before, will count against them when battle commences in the First Test on November 25.
“If we're not ready to go come the first day in Brisbane there are no excuses at all. In any case each bowler offers something different,” he added.
“The Pakistan batsmen didn't enjoy facing the seamers this summer and there's no reason why the Aussies should in Australia.”
Broad added that inexperience may even benefit England because few of the current group were survivors of the brutal whitewash four years ago.
“There's not many of us now who were involved in that 5-0 tour,” he said. “And eight or nine of us involved this time have never been to Australia on an England tour.
“It's all fresh and that's a pretty fearless approach as you've got no demons and you're not scared of anything. That's quite a strong feeling to have in the dressing room.” -AFP
