Man Over Broad

I once proclaimed from this humble blog my fondness for one English cricketer Stuart Broad. While it is almost a paradox for an Aussie cricket lover to sing the praises of an English fast bowler, his in your face attitude, classic short of a length bowling style and dashing looks made it impossible for me not to feel dizzy with admiration as he knocked over multiple Australian top order batsmen. Today I am here to take it all back. Check this clip http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7942199 Or read the following article to find out why. 

England fast bowler Stuart Broad has done little for his reputation ahead of the Ashes, summoned before a disciplinary hearing for throwing the ball at an opponent.

Broad, who has a history of indiscretions, took aim at Pakistan's Zulqarnain Haider on the third day of the Second Test at Edgbaston and hit the wicketkeeper on the shoulder.

While the 24-year-old half-heartedly apologised by briefly raising his hand, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt lashed out at him at the close of play, describing the incident as unbecoming of a true sportsman.

"Cricket is a gentleman's game but I think they (England) got frustrated," Butt said.

"It's not good to see people throwing balls intentionally at others, and not even excusing properly."

Butt, asked if Broad had failed to make a proper apology, replied: "Yes."

An England spokesman confirmed Broad had been charged, but refused to say anything more ahead of a decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Broad could be fined 50 per cent of his match fee or be banned for one match.

Whatever the punishment, it's likely to do little to curb the behaviour of the England quick, who has won the hearts of England's Barmy Army and even prompted his father to speak out.

Chris Broad is a former England batsman turned ICC referee and describes his son as a 'legitimate firebrand' who plays on the edge of laws.

"There are times when I watch him on television and think, "Ooh, steady", Broad told Britain's Daily Mail in May.

"I have had the odd word with him on one or two occasions. He is very good at just getting up to the line, where he knows he might get charged, but then hauls back. But at this moment he doesn't seem to cross that line when it would be an instant charge, or fine against his fee.

"As a fast bowler, you need to get under the batsmen's skin. You need to be at them all the time — and he is spicy and competitive."

The paceman has already collected five wickets in the Second Test against Pakistan and is expected to be among England's first XI for this summer's Ashes series.