'Hate figure' Stuart Broad backed by captain

 
PA
18 July 2013

Alastair Cook wants Stuart Broad to carry on just the way he is - even if it means he ends up being a "hate figure" to Australians.

Broad angered some when he declined to walk after edging Ashton Agar to slip at Trent Bridge last week.

When England were bowling on the final day of that Ashes opener, he also raised some eyebrows by apparently trying to ensure his would be the final over of the morning session by taking his boot off and slowly replacing it.

Cook made no attempt at his post-match press conference to explain away the latter - but with a famous 14-run win in the bag, as England prepare for the second Investec Test at Lord's tomorrow, their captain made it plain he does not want Broad to change.

"He has always been a very combative cricketer, and that is one of his great strengths," said Cook.

"He is a great fighter. I think that is one of the reasons he has been so successful in international cricket."

Broad has made a habit, particularly with the ball, of game-changing interventions just when England need them most - and a couple in the 2013 Ashes will do Cook just fine.

Recalling the sometimes irrational treatment of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting by English crowds in series past, Cook backs Broad to handle the boos if they come his way from the travelling support.

"Whether you call him a hate figure or whatever, there is always one person on either side - it was Ricky Ponting a few years ago," he said.

"If it is Broady, it's Broady. He is a fine cricketer, and he can deal with anything."

Broad was troubled early in the Nottingham Test by a shoulder injury after being hit on an already sore joint by a short ball from James Pattinson.

But he went on to prove, with bat and ball, that he had recovered well.

Cook said: "He is fully fit, absolutely fine.

"We all know that in a four-man attack you all have to stand up at certain times to take the wickets.

"Broady has done that time after time, and is closing in on 200 wickets. Every time he has fought for his place or been under pressure, he has always delivered for us."

Broad's decision not to walk was just one of several flashpoints, most concerned with DRS or other third-umpire rulings, at Trent Bridge.

"I am very surprised how much controversy it's caused," said Cook.

"But the most important thing is that both sets of players don't seem too fussed about it."

Asked whether his England players are under any strict instructions from the captain about whether to walk or not, if they think they are out, he said: "No, there's none - I wouldn't expect any player to walk."

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