Stuart Broad expects personal battles to resume Down Under

Stuart Broad’s ability to produce moments of high drama is well documented: six wickets in 45 balls to win the Fourth Test at Durham and the Ashes series; and three wickets for two runs in six balls last Saturday to give Nottinghamshire their first Cup in 24 years are just two from a long list.

But I was not expecting drama off the field when I met him at Lord’s. As the PR man reassured me I could ask Broad any question I liked, he was called away by an England and Wales Cricket Board official. He returned after almost a quarter of an hour to tell me in very hushed tones that there was one subject I could not raise with Broad: that of the England players urinating on the Kia Oval pitch while celebrating their Ashes win. If I did, I was warned, Broad would be instructed not to answer.