Stuart Broad: Egerton Park, Howzat Travel and all-time greats have their say

The young cricketer started out at the Melton club as a batsman like his dad Chris, the former Notts and England opener.

“It was an amazing performance from an amazing cricketer and a wonderful ambassador for the game,” Glover said.

“Everyone at Egerton Park is incredibly proud of what he has achieved and cannot wait to catch up with him this season.

“He’s not only an inspiration to junior players at Egerton Park to follow in his footsteps, but surely all junior cricketers nationwide.

“He was a fantastic young cricketer during his time with us. If only I had known then what we now know, I might even have thrown him the ball more often.”

Among Broad’s biggest supporters in South Africa were local cricket tour operator Howzat Travel who have taken more than 650 fans out to South Africa this winter.

Charlie Baker, who works for the Wartnaby-based company, said: “Every Englishman in the ground was honoured to have witnessed his display in Johannesburg.

“From a local point of view, myself and Ian (Kerr) from Howzat Travel were privileged to see a performance that would rival any spell we have seen in our years of watching live English cricket.”

Nottinghamshire head coach Mick Newell believes Broad now ranks among the top five England bowlers in history, while Bob Willis bowed to the man who has surpassed him on England’s all-time wicket-taking list.

“I don’t know if England have ever had a bowler like him; he doesn’t bowl bad deliveries when he’s hot,” Willis said. “He’s a lot better bowler than I ever was.”

Sir Ian Botham, who stands directly above Broad on the England list, added: “When he clicks, he is as good as anyone in world cricket.”