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Broad shoulders responsibility
18:45, Dec 14 2009
Confident Stuart Broad is about to embark on what may be the defining stage of his Test career - as a pivotal all-round influence, in the absence of Andrew Flintoff.
Broad on Monday issued a joint statement with his fellow fast bowler James Anderson that he will not be joining the 2010 Indian Premier League - because he prizes his England career too highly.
"Responsibility is something I thrive on as a player," he insists. "That goes for both batting and bowling, and all formats too. Certainly in the one-dayers, Jimmy [Anderson] and I have been opening the bowling together and have developed extra responsibility."
It is a decision he acknowledges he may revise in future years but for now is a statement of intent to cement his international career, with the 2010/11 Ashes and 2011 World Cup obvious priorities.
In the shorter term, Broad has specific goals - first and foremost perhaps, to try to provide England with the Test match balance which used to come from Flintoff.
Two days before the start of a high-profile four-match series against South Africa, the stakes are high - and many will doubt whether Broad, or anyone else, can fill the hole left by Flintoff's injury-enforced Test retirement.
Yet as England grapple with the most likely winning formula - how many specialist batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders - for the first Test at Centurion, Broad will be comfortable with the onus placed on him.
Yet the absence of Flintoff will pose questions of England's staff on and off the pitch.
Last weekend, Ashley Giles conceded Broad cannot yet be expected to fulfil the Flintoff role - because of his comparative lack of experience - and on Monday South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini spelled out the significance of the Lancastrian's retirement.
"They've lost one of their major players in Freddie Flintoff," Ntini pointed out. "He was the one who made a huge impact. Losing the pillar of the team means we have a better chance - because he was always the guy that intimidated us."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
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Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
