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Stuart Broad has chance to show he can still be a matchwinner

England need injury-hit fast bowler to be firing on all cylinders with two Ashes series looming this year, writes Michael Vaughan.

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England need injury-hit fast bowler to be firing on all cylinders with two Ashes series looming this year, writes Michael Vaughan.

It is pretty clear that Stuart Broad is an outstanding cricketer. He is a matchwinner and England are a better team when he is on fire. But he knows England can win without him. He played little part in the last Ashes series and was dropped in India when he was not fully fit.

Six or seven years ago losing a player like Broad would have been a massive blow for England. Broad himself would also have known he would be able to regain his place quickly. But now there is serious strength in depth, which is great for the management, and Broad returns to New Zealand, where he had his big break to establish his international career, with a point to prove.

Five years ago I felt Broad was ready to play for England. We lost the first Test in Hamilton where I stuck by Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison. I had an inkling their time was up but they had done so much for me as a captain that

I thought they deserved one more chance. When they failed in Hamilton, and we went 1-0 down,

I knew it was time for change. James Anderson had been inconsistent but was ready to lead the attack and I had liked Broad for a while.

He was one of the first bowlers

I captained for England who liked to set his own fields. I was a big advocate of that. Even during the 2005 Ashes we set fields for the bowlers, with debate taking place among a few players at the end of a run-up. But Broad said: "I am in charge." That is what you want as a skipper. He took his chance immediately, bowling well against Stephen Fleming in Wellington, swinging it back in and bowling him when he shouldered arms. It was the first example of his knack of producing unplayable balls to top batsmen. It is the sign of a class player.

He has had a brilliant career since then, winning two Ashes series, a World Twenty20 and playing a big part in England becoming the best Test side in the world.

But he has been inconsistent and needs a settled year in the team. He has had some tough injuries during his career to date. It is very hard to play consistently well with injuries. You carry on because you are desperate to play but it rarely works out in the long term. He needs a 2013 when he is able to play without injury. In a year with two Ashes series I want to see plenty of wickets at an average of 22 to 24.

The management of his heel injury is a worry for him and with so many Ashes Tests in a short space of time you have to wonder if he can get through them all unscathed, but England have 'rest' plans in place now and Broad is one player who will benefit from that handling. In the old days he would have been burnt out.

This New Zealand series is a cracking opportunity for him. He will look at their top seven and fancy a few scalps. He bowled consistently in Queenstown, and in the one-day internationals on this tour has used his short ball well. When he is low on confidence the short ball almost becomes his stock delivery but it should be used as the surprise weapon.

Captaincy has been good for him. He has matured and cut the tantrums. He recognises when he is getting angry, strolls off for an over or so and calms down.

One area he has to improve is his batting. When the opposition realise the guys at eight, nine or 10 can hold a bat they know it is hard work bowling England out.

But it is hard for Broad because he gets so little time to work on his batting. It is tough when you do not play cricket as batting requires time in the middle. That feel of bat on ball is the best treatment when you are out of form but they play so few County Championship matches or practice games on tour these days that it is hard for a bowler to work on his batting. He does not have enough time to find consistency so he has to use net time wisely. Stuart has a great eye and is great attacking but he cannot tee off all the time. He is better than that.

With the Australia series looming England have great options. I only see James Anderson, among the seamers, as being hard to replace. Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Broad, Tim Bresnan, Chris Woakes, Stuart Meaker, Chris Tremlett and James Harris give Andy Flower great options. It also puts pressure on the guys to perform consistently.

I expect England to win 3-0 in New Zealand and then win both Tests against them in this country in May and June. But behind the results is this battle to stay in the side. It is a great position for England to enjoy.

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