Stuart Broad is inching closer to top form and believes another hot streak could be just around the corner.
The England seamer was given an extended break from cricket at the end of last summer in an attempt to put a lingering tendinitis complaint to bed.
He returned to the one-day side for this month’s Tri-Series in Australia but has yet to take a wicket in the three games so far.
The 28-year-old would hardly be expected to be at the peak of his powers immediately after such a long lay-off but he expects things to fall into place soon.
Broad’s international career has been punctuated by a combination of lean spells and bumper hauls and, with a must-win game against India on Friday, he is ready to cash in.
“It was quite a long lay-off, four and a half months without any cricket, so it takes a bit of time to get up to match speed,” he said.
“I feel like the ball’s coming out okay, but I’ve probably bowled a couple of soft boundary balls in the games so far which is disappointing.
“The more match sharpness you get the more you cut them out of your game, and I feel like I’m getting better and better every ball that I bowl.
“I’m also experienced enough to know I always go through periods where I don’t pick up wickets and then I get a chunk of them and hopefully it’s my turn this week.”
One of Broad’s killer spells would go down well at the WACA on Friday, a game that is being billed as a semi-final with the winner due to meet Australia in the Tri-Series showpiece final at the same venue.
But his role in the side is evolving Down Under. England’s current plan involves James Anderson and Chris Woakes opening the bowling, when the new balls offer most assistance, while Broad and Steven Finn join the attack later.
“You do like to take the new ball, it’s the best time to bowl, to get wickets and set the tone, but I’m happy in my role,” he said.
“It is quite a tough role first change, you come on seven or eight overs in and the ball’s not doing anything.
“But with the balance of the four seamers, having the taller bowlers to hit the wicket in that period is a good option, we did it in 2008 when Harmy ( Steve Harmison ) came out of retirement and it worked quite well.
“I’m quite happy doing that.”
England’s attack has been criticised in some quarters for lacking variation, with no left-armer to change the angle and no express
pace to unsettle batsmen.
But Broad is confident the pace axis is formidable enough to excel on the big stage.
