Stuart Broad targets 2019 Ashes series despite England demotion

Stuart Broad says he has the hunger to continue until at least next year’s Ashes series despite the fact he is likely to be stripped of the new ball for this week’s opening day-night Test against New Zealand.

Broad will be appearing in his 115th Test when this two-match series gets underway at Eden Park on Thursday.

Following a disappointing Ashes series in Australia earlier this winter, when Broad took only 11 wickets at 47.72 during England’s 4-0 defeat, there is set to be a shake-up of the bowling attack.

That is likely to see Chris Woakes take the new ball alongside James Anderson, relegating Broad to first change.

Broad’s likely demotion is a sign his place is no longer guaranteed, although he insists there is no room for egos as England look to win just their second overseas Test series since 2012.

“No, I’m not bothered at all,” he said. “Obviously, the past four or five years Jimmy and I have shared the new ball a lot. But it doesn’t really change what your job is — to hit the top of off-stump more often than not.

“I’ve done the first-change role a lot throughout my career.”

Broad goes into Auckland on 399 Test wickets and is set to become just the second Englishman behind Anderson and the tenth seam bowler in history to reach the 400 mark.

“It’s obviously an exciting prospect,” he said. “It’s one of those achievements you can look back on in years to come with some pride, because it’s not necessarily just about taking the individual wickets — it’s more the length of time it takes, the dedication you’ve got to put in to be on the field for that long to have the chance of taking 400.

“I remember how much it meant to Jimmy when he did it, then going on to 500 for him.

“But it will be much better if we can get a win in the First Test.”

The impending milestone certainly won’t obscure the bigger picture for Broad, who at 31 is desperate to stay in the team ahead of next year’s home Ashes series.

“I’ve got a great hunger to play,” he said. “I’ve had a tough Ashes tour but I’ve got a lot of hunger to get in this England team, stay in it and have a lot of success.

“That certainly includes the next Ashes. At 31, touch wood, I’ve got quite a bit of cricket left in me.”

Broad has worked on his bowling action since the Ashes and believes he is now back close to his best.

“I’d got to the stage where I’d bowled so much round the wicket to the left-handers that my front arm and shoulder had got into a position where I was lacking bounce — my fingers weren’t right behind the seam of the ball,” added Broad.

“The grooving I did, I’m really happy with it. I’m in a place now where I feel like I can do quite a bit of damage as a bowler again.”