South Africa sign up Stuart Broad to plot Australia’s downfall in World Test Championship final

South Africa have roped in one of Australia’s most notorious foes to help them plot the downfall of Pat Cummins’ team in the World Test Championship final.

English fast bowling great and serial pot-stirrer Stuart Broad could not help himself.

He just had to put his elbow into Australia’s ribs one last time. 

Broad has agreed to join South Africa to help them plot the downfall of Pat Cummins’ team in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next week.

Recently retired Test seamer Broad, 38, will work for the Proteas for just one day - June 9 - when he is expected to give his thoughts on individual plans for the Australian top order he knows so well.

It will be his first coaching role since he retired after the 2023 Ashes and became a columnist and commentator and he will no doubt relish the chance to slip under Australia’s skin.

He has had villain status in Australia since famously not walking when he nicked a ball via Haddin’s gloves to first slip at Trent Bridge yet didn’t walk and was given not out.

Stuart Broad stands his ground. Picture: AP Photo/Jon Super

Broad was highly respected for his ability to work out an opponent’s weakness so it is a shrewd move by South Africa to recruit him for the final which starts at Lord’s next week.

Broad took 153 wickets against Australia, more than any other bowler in Test history.

All up, the rangy seamer took 604 wickets in 167 Tests and sits behind only James Anderson on England’s wicket-takers list.While he may have been renowned for his torment of David Warner, who he dismissed 17 times in Tests, he also dismissed Steve Smith 11 times and Usman Khawaja eight.

South Africa have a highly-regarded pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen but Broad could provide the intelligence which maximises their talents.

Australian squad members Josh Hazlewood and Josh Inglis will have five days to prepare for the final after they take on each other in the Indian Premier League final then depart for London.

Stuart Broad has enjoyed himself against Australia. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Quiet achiever Inglis has been in excellent for the Punjab Kings with a lively 34 in the second qualifier helping his team make the final with the defeat of Mumbai.Ricky Ponting, with trusted assistant Brad Haddin by his side, celebrated one of the biggest moments of his coaching career with the Kings making their first final in 11 years.Hazlewood, with 21 wickets at 13 from 11 games, has been one of the best bowlers in the competition.

He has been practicing with the Dukes ball in the nets while in India to ready himself for the World Championship final.

Hazlewood is expected to regain the spot he lost through injury late in the Australian summer even though Scott Boland took a 10-wicket haul in his absence in the final Test against India at the SCG.Hazlewood plays for Royal Challenges Bengaluru side who will be striving to win their first IPL title after being beaten in the final three times.

Originally published as South Africa sign up Stuart Broad to plot Australia’s downfall in World Test Championship final