Broadminded: England seamer has an old head on young shoulders

Although only 21, his emergence in the national team has been marked by endless talk of an old head on young shoulders.

Being the son of an international cricketer - former left-handed opener-turned-ICC match referee Chris - no doubt helped him develop a deep understanding of the game and Broad Jnr believes it is his ability to work things out for himself which caught the Test captain's eye.

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'I tend to think on my feet when I'm bowling,' he said yesterday. 'I've never relied on the captain or coach to tell me where to bowl. I tend to try out different things if it's a really flat wicket. I'm not shy about throwing a few cutters in or bowling slower balls, quicker balls, bouncers.

'I try to keep mixing it up so I suppose he (Vaughan) said that because I've never really had to turn to him and say, "What should I do?" I just think on my feet and go for it.

'Obviously if it's swinging and seaming you've just got to hit an area and make the batsman play. But there are more and more flat wickets in international cricket so at some stage you have to buy a wicket.'

A willingness to chance his arm with bowling variations is the sign of a confident character who will not just retreat into his shell when the going gets tough. He agrees that his own positive mindset is an important factor, but also the aggressive intent being instilled in the England team by coach Peter Moores.

Some cautious first-innings batting in the last Test at Old Trafford may suggest otherwise, but Broad insists that he and his team-mates are being given the licence to play cavalier cricket.

'If you think you can hit the ball back over the bowler's head then do it, if you think you can get someone out with a slower ball do it. Mooresy encourages us to back ourselves and be completely fearless. It's something I thrive on.'

He has played five Tests to date and a tally of 12 wickets does not reflect some encouraging spells. The selectors have identified a prodigious young talent and are determined to give him time to blossom in the five-day game.

However, there are rivals for his place. Steve Harmison achieved a hat-trick at Hove. Simon Jones is taking wickets again, as is Sajid Mahmood. Graham Onions and Chris Tremlett impressed for the England Lions. And, soon, Andrew Flintoff will be back.

Broad is aware of the presence of a chasing pack and does not yet feel totally secure in the Test team. But he is upbeat, saying: 'When you're in the side , consistency (of selection) is quite nice and we can't argue with three wins in our last four Tests.

'I'm not sure if you would change a winning side like that, but it's good to have players pushing and with Fred coming back soon it adds another element, because he would get into any international side in the world. I've only played five Tests, so I think after 60 Tests I could say I feel a bit more settled!'

On Thursday, Broad will take his place in the England side for the third npower Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, his new home ground. He is optimistic that the ball will swing but if it does not, perhaps, that is when he will come into his own - proving that he is as smart as Vaughan says he is.

¿ npower's 'Urban Cricket Crew' initiative pays for children aged 5-12 to watch Test cricket free of charge.