'It's what you live for, it's the best cricketing experience' - Stuart Broad raring to face 'pro-Australian' Gabba crowd

England pacer Stuart Broad is raring to make his Test comeback with the Ashes, which gets underway from December 8 at Brisbane’s Gabba. Broad has been out of international action ever since he picked his calf injury before the second Test of the Pataudi Trophy 2021 earlier this year.

The 35-year-old pacer, who is currently involved in a warm-up game at Ian Healy Oval, admitted that the Australian crowd will try to get under the visitors’ skin, but also stated that to be the reason why playing at the Gabba is one of the “best cricketing experiences”.

“It’s what you train for, it’s what you live for. Playing at the Gabba is one of the best cricketing experiences that you can have. It has that same feeling as (playing at) The Wanderers in South Africa,” Broad told reporters on December 3.

“It’s very pro-Australian. It’ll be even more so without the Barmy Army (England fans), but you have to enjoy that experience. If you’re not walking onto that field buzzing and excited, looking up at the stands… you’re playing the wrong game.”

England’s Ashes preparation were messed firstly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and now the Brisbane weather has played its role too, with, in fact, the series-opener in danger of being washed out entirely. However, Broad feels the team is in good stead.

“I’ve been on Ashes tours where we have been extremely well prepared, played three or four first-class games, and we’ve come out on the losing side,” he said. “Arguably, we’re going to be the freshest England team going into an Ashes series. We should have a lot of energy and a lot of buzz throughout the next few months.”

Australia, who lost a Test at Gabba after over three decades against second- string India side earlier this year, retained the Ashes in 2019 after drawing the series 2-2 in England. Broad highlighted the importance of making a positive start while adding that the loss against India at the ‘Gabbatoir’ might not be on the hosts’ mind.

“We know that it’s the first couple of days at the Gabba that’s important and can set up our series. Australia lost their last game at the Gabba, so will that be on their minds? Probably not as it’s quite a long time ago,” he said.