Just like he worked on his bowling and became the world’s fifth highest wicket-taker, Stuart Broad is serious about his commentary and wants to become one of the finest in the world. “I take it seriously – I want to grow,” Broad told Telegraph Sport. “I want to become a really good broadcaster.”
“I’m definitely all in on the broadcasting at this moment in time, because I’m certainly not at a level that I’m comfortable with. I want to get better and better and be in those moments where I’m calling great cricket,” he said.
His understated tone and crisp, info-packed line have already endeared him to the audience, but he likens himself to a student who keeps learning from the senior pros. “Nasser [Hussain] and [Michael] Atherton are brilliant to learn from. Ian Ward’s a fantastic presenter, and the way he thinks of questions on the spot is something that I need to improve at. The level of analysis that Ricky Ponting gives, the detail that he’s going into. The tone of voice with Ravi Shastri – how he can go up and down and pick moments to really go. I’m always looking and learning,” he explained.
He is always looking for feedback. “I think that comes from being in professional sport – I want feedback, because how do I improve if I don’t get it?” the 39-year-old says. “I do feel very fortunate that I’ve left a changing room in England cricket, and I’ve walked into another changing room that is helping me grow.”
Paul Allott guiding light
Former fast bowler Paul Allott has been his guiding voice in commentary. He keeps a piece of advice close to his heart: Don’t just read the bowling figures.” He has also been watching his own recorded footage to improve. “It’s quite cringe to do that, you’re like, ‘oh God’. But you actually need to do that, because then, you’re like ‘I should have lifted my voice more there’,” Broad said.
He gave an example: “I was on colour for Gus Atkinson’s first Test wicket, and I didn’t go up enough – a big moment in his career. When I watched it back, I thought, oh yeah, I need to be more excited there.”
Quest for perfection drives him. “I’m always learning, and I did that in my cricket. My whole mindset has always been continuous improvement, continuous improvement. I don’t see that as I’m an ex-player pundit. I think there’s a bit of a difference, actually. I’m not someone who doesn’t do any research,” Broad said.
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“I research what I want, talking points. I want to become a lead commentator as well as an analyst, which are two very different skills as well. So I see myself as a young, new growing broadcaster, rather than an old pro just ranting around.”
