Stuart Broad looks on with envy at the power of England’s World Cup-chasing batting order and admits he cannot think of another – past or present – who would improve it.
Broad knows a thing or two about one-day internationals, playing 121 of them between 2006-2016 and claiming 178 wickets along the way.
England’s brutal run-scoring prowess had only just started to develop as he transitioned into the role of Test specialist and he is blown away by the consistency and quality of the current line-up.
“I look at the team we have, particularly the top seven batsman, and I don’t think I can name you a player that’s played for England, in the history of English cricket, who would get in that top seven at this moment in time,” he told Press Association Sport.
“That proves the quality we’ve got and that’s exciting as a fan. I’ve never seen a team go in with the quality this one has got, particularly in the batting. It’s really hard to compare ODI generations because the game changes so much with rules and regulations but that top seven is as powerful as I’ve ever seen, as exciting as I’ve ever seen.”
Many fancy an end to that long pursuit this summer and Broad feels recent precedent points in that direction.
“The fact we’ve never won it proves how hard it is when you bring the best teams in the world together but generally the best team will win it,” he said.
“But you look to the last World Cup when Australia won it in Australia, they were ranked number one in the world. (In 2011) India won it in India when they were the number one side in the world.
England, and Broad, have another major goal shortly after the World Cup, with the Ashes following close behind.
Workloads will be considerable for those involved in both and Broad is keeping his fingers crossed.
“You don’t want to lose your key players in a World Cup this close to an Ashes series,” he added. “I’m just hoping our best players go and win the World Cup but also get through it physically.”
