Test axe looms for England's 'Sobers'

A terrific innings of 67 not out at Headingley on Monday not only delayed South Africa's victory charge but also improved his impressive batting average to 41; two higher than that achieved by his father, Chris, who played 25 Tests as an opener in the Eighties.

Broad Jnr is still in the early stages of an international career, having won eight caps so far. But the way he has batted at No8 this summer, firstly against New Zealand and then when faced by South Africa's strong pack of pacemen, suggests he will develop into a genuine all-rounder.

The problem at the moment, though, is that while the runs continue to pile up impressively for Broad, his wickets are barely trickling in. And at 1-0 down in the series, England will need to take 20 of them at Edgbaston next week - and probably by using a four-man attack.

While statistics never tell the whole story, the fact he has taken only 10 wickets in five Tests this season at a cost of nearly 60 runs apiece cannot be ignored by the selectors.

England are optimistic Ryan Sidebottom will return after missing Headingley with a back problem. But whether or not captain Michael Vaughan wants more firepower at his disposal in the shape of a revitalised Steve Harmison, Broad may struggle to make the final XI.

Andrew Flintoff proved his fitness in Yorkshire, Jimmy Anderson is bowling more consistently than ever and there is no chance of spinner Monty Panesar being left out.

So unless England are prepared to go in with only five front-line batsmen again, leaving out Paul Collingwood once more, then Broad is likely to be given the rest he could probably use after bowling 79 overs in back-to-back Tests against South Africa.

"I think Stuart is doing really well," said coach Peter Moores, who sits on the selection panel with Geoff Miller, James Whitaker and Ashley Giles.

"He's learning Test cricket and he keeps adapting to different things, but you can't expect the finished article in a 22-year-old. He needs to get stronger and fitter and he will get more skilful.

"But in most games we are seeing him do something that's quite exciting." No one is more excited by Broad's potential as a batsman than former England opener Boycott, who even thinks he can see a touch of Sir Garfield Sobers in the youngster.

"He's a wonderful player. There's a little bit of Sobers in him," Boycott told the BBC. "He plays the ball off the back foot with a straight bat as good as anybody I've seen since Sobers.

"One of these days he's going to realise he has fantastic ability to be a genuine all-rounder and go and get hundreds."