Broad shrugs off shocking past

Stuart Broad needs no reminding of the shock of a World Twenty20 defeat against a minor nation as he prepares to lead England against Afghanistan at the R Premadasa Stadium. He bowled the final over in the first Twenty20 international ever staged at Lord's three years ago and fell to his knees and held his hands to his face in despair as Netherlands won the game off the last ball.

It was the sort of over that must still be scarred in his memory. Netherlands needed seven to win and as they scrambled five from the first five balls, Broad missed two fleeting run-out chances and a return catch. With two needed from the final ball, Edgar Schiferli hacked the ball back, Broad collected in his follow through but his throw missed once more and Netherlands grabbed victory with the overthrow.

For more scarring, consider Broad's previous experience in World Twenty20. On a balmy night in Durban in 2007, Yuvraj Singh struck him for six sixes in an over. As ball after ball disappeared into the night sky, it invited concern so early in his career that, at 21, he would ever fully recover.

Now here he is, sharp and confident, captaining England in a major tournament. England's coach, Andy Flower, has identified in him the sort of attributes he thinks a T20 captain needs: intelligence, quick-wittedness, a willingness to act on instinct, adventure and aggression. Broad's early cricket experiences might have destroyed him but he had too much dog in him to let it happen.

He agreed with the suggestion that adventure is part of his make-up, an example perhaps of how much more aggressively cricket would be played if more bowlers were made captain. "I like to take wickets and see wickets and chances," he said, "and I think in T20 cricket you have to risk a boundary to take a wicket. As a bowler I think I am more wicket-based than some.

"If someone wants to try to hit a spinner over mid-on, with the ball turning away from the blade, there is a chance of taking a wicket. I think with the heavies - myself, Finny, Jade, Bres - it is a great shot for someone to stand and belt us over mid-off from a heavy length so maybe keeping mid-off up is an option."

As Broad captains England in a major tournament for the first time, it will be intriguing to observe him. The desire to succeed burns within. Alastair Cook, who has replaced Andrew Strass as Test and one-day captain, is an equable sort who would benefit from a passionate vice-captain, officially or unofficially, and Broad can advance his candidature over the coming weeks.

Afghanistan revealed enough against India to warn England that they are immensely dangerous. Warm-up wins against Australia and Pakistan will count for nothing when Shapoor Zadran is flinging down his fast left-arm at close to 95mph or Mohammad Shahzad is unveiling his Dhoni-style helicopter shot.

"It's all about winning," he said. "It is a proud moment to lead England out any time you do and on a world stage it gives it an extra oomph as well but it will be down there with the biggest lows if we don't win.

"Any international you have to be on top of your game. Look at the times we haven't been. Ireland took us down in a 50-over game and the Netherlands took us down as well. The shorter the game the more dangerous these teams are and Afghanistan aren't going to hold back with the bat, put it that way. It will be important we keep our cool.