Bring it on: English paceman Stuart Broad ready to square up to Aussies in Ashes series

PACEMAN Stuart Broad is hellbent on remaining the figure David Warner and Australia love to hate as England goes into battle to retain the Ashes.

England’s Stuart Broad during a training session at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

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WITH or without Ben Stokes, speedster Stuart Broad is hellbent on remaining the figure David Warner and Australia love to hate for England to retain the Ashes.

Broad, 31, says the energy gained from confronting chief protagonist Warner and colonial company is the genesis of his Ashes inspiration — punctuated by a match-winning 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015.

“I love that spice. I think that’s why I’ve probably saved some of my best performances for Ashes series, because it builds it up. I love the extra pressure,” said Broad, who craves another hostile reception from Brisbane fans in the Ashes opener from November 23.

“If you can’t deal with that, you shouldn’t be playing top-level sport.”

England's Stuart Broad is looking forward to resuming hostilities with David Warner. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

David Warner congratulates NSW teammate Mitchell Starc on another wicket this week. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

Opener Warner has equated the Ashes to war. Broad would love to have the pocket-dynamo in the trenches but notes the Australian vice-captain’s aggression can fire up the Old Enemy.

“He’s one of those blokes who’s not that enjoyable to play against but if he’s in your team you love him,” said Broad, with 84 Ashes wickets at 27 including 6/81 against Australia in the first innings at the Gabba in 2013-14.

“He’s someone who can take the game away from you quickly. These are the sort of guys you want to play against, who spur you on and you know that if you get it wrong to him he can hurt you but it’s also extremely exciting if you get him out.”

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Broad has been targeted by Aussie fans since failing to walk despite a clear catch in the first Test at Trent Bridge in 2013. He says his villain status in Australia and “stomach-churning” Ashes conflicts are “like being a Manchester United player at Anfield”.

“It’s why the Ashes is so special. You walk out and go, ‘whoa, I’m alive here, this is what it’s all about’,” Broad said.

West Indies legend Viv Richards said England looked like “kittens” without Stokes, who is still grounded in England by a police investigation into a Bristol brawl in September. Broad has taken it upon himself to follow legends including Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan and square up to the Australians.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson of England talk during an England nets session at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

England, targeting a fifth Ashes triumph in six series, has the ticker to triumph Down Under as father Chris’ unit did in 1986-87. New heroes can “make it their series”, while Stokes’ iron will has “rubbed off” on his teammates, insists Broad.

“I think you can only win Ashes series if you have that competitive streak,” said Broad, who attributes his combative approach to emulating childhood Australian Ashes heroes Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath.

“Since the likes of KP came around, Matt Prior, Vaughan, Paul Collingwood, these sort of guys who stood up to the Australians, looked them in the eye and said ‘we’re here for a battle’, we’ve had more success in Ashes series.”