England Fast Bowler Broad Pens New Nottinghamshire Deal

Stuart Broad has signed a new three-year contract with Nottinghamshire.

The 24-year-old England fast bowler, who arrived at Trent Bridge from Leicestershire in 2007, is still on an ECB central contract.

His new deal with Notts, which runs until 2013, will only come into effect should he lose his England deal.

"We fully expect Stuart will maintain his England place for years to come but this re-affirms his commitment to us," said director of cricket Mick Newell.
"We knew he was in the England selectors' thoughts when we signed him in 2008.

"Although his county apperances have been limited, he has always performed exceptionally well when he's turned out for us."

Broad has made just a single one-day appearance, as well as playing three games in the Twenty20 and seven County Championship matches in his four years at Trent Bridge.

But he may be due to get in a few early season appearances once he has recovered from the side strain that forced him home early from England's unsuccessful World Cup adventure last month.

"I'm hoping to play on May 4 at home to Yorkshire," Broad told Sky Sports News.

That would give Broad the option of two more four-day matches before England begin their summer programme in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Cardiff on 26 May.

"I hope that can be the comeback," said Broad. "Then I can get some Championship wickets before the first Test.

There's a lot of cricket. But we have to be in good enough physical shape to deal with it.

In the light of Broad's injury and the fatigue that clearly affected main strike bowler Jimmy Anderson at the World Cup as the long winter programme drew to a close, the England hierarchy have considered more rest programmes to protect their pace attack.

But Broad, who is optimistic that his injury troubles will soon be behind him, knows full well that the crowded modern-day international schedule is unlikely to change.

"There is a lot of cricket," he said. "But we have to be in good enough physical shape to deal with it.

"I've been quite lucky to have played five years of international cricket without a setback at some stage.

"It was unfortunate that it did then happen in two of the biggest tournaments we play in.

"But I feel in good nick for this season, and I'm looking to get back in the international arena."

Notts can now only hope that Broad, who played for them in the FP t20 finals day at the Rose Bowl last August, will hope that he turns in a repeat of the match-winning performance he produced on his last County Championship appearance.