Early season support was vital for Broad’s landmark summer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Stuart Broad of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Kemar Roach of West Indies during Day Three of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Test, the Third Test in the #RaiseTheBat Series match between England and the West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford on July 26, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) 775534511

Broad, who began his cricketing career at Egerton Park, became the seventh man in history to take 500 Test wickets after taking 29 scalps in the English summer.

But he insists that the groundwork he laid in West Bridgford before cricket’s return was vital.

“I wouldn’t have been able to perform in the way I did in July and August if it wasn’t for the way Peter Moores, Kevin Shine and James Pipe drove me on at Trent Bridge,” Broad said.

“And, to be honest, having Trent Bridge to myself for a little while was pretty special!

“When I played on the outfield here as a kid, never did I dream that I’d have the place completely to myself for a month.

“I remember Joe Root coming for his first bat and I almost felt a bit like ‘oi, this is my training ground, what are you doing here?!’

“Any time you walk into Trent Bridge – whether you’re just nipping in the changing room to grab a bit of equipment, whether you’re coming to train, or whether you’re coming to play a Test match, it’s got an amazing feeling about it.”

And Broad admits he would love to play another Test at Trent Bridge.

“A big goal of mine for next year is to be available to play another Test match at Trent Bridge, because they’re always very special occasions,” he said.

“As a player, you’re desperate to play at your favourite grounds and, having had two years without a Test here, I feel like I’ve had two summers taken away from me in a way.”

Statistically, the 2020 English summer was the Nottinghamshire seamer’s finest, with his 29 wickets coming at an average of 13.41.

It was a run of form which answered any lingering questions the 34-year-old may have had about being able to perform in behind-closed-doors, biosecure, conditions.

“There have been times this year where it’s been a bit strange,” he said.

“There were question marks in my own head at the start of the year about how I would perform without fans in the ground, but I was able to answer those questions in my own head and perform.

“It was unique to go into a season with your first competitive game being at international level.’