Big batting performance needed to retain No 1 status, says Broad

Broad wants England to use last year’s Birmingham Test against India as motivation as they look to stop South Africa stealing top spot with victory at Headingley.

England amassed 710-7 declared on that occasion in reply to India’s first innings 224.

Alastair Cook scored 294 in a game England won by an innings and 242 runs.

“We need one of those Edgbaston performances and then try to put South Africa under pressure on the last day,” said Broad, after England made 48-0 in reply to the tourists’ 419. “I think this wicket will eventually get lower and that’s where the quick bowlers can come into their own. It’s pretty even, I think (the state of the game). Being none down for us was vital tonight, and the first hour on Saturday is going to be huge.”

England need to take a leaf out of South Africa’s book after they showed the requisite patience for the Headingley pitch. Run-scoring was never easy but they posted a potentially match-winning score.

“We need to learn from what the South Africans did well,” added Broad. “We have one job and that’s to bat as big and as long as we possibly can. We’re in no rush – we can just settle in, take our time and try to build a big total.”

Russell Domingo, South Africa’s assistant coach, said the visitors were delighted with the match situation.

“If someone had said we’d be 419 all-out on that wicket in the second Test match when we’re 1-0 up in the series, we’d have taken that,” he said. “Obviously it would have been great to have taken one or two wickets, but we’re happy with where we are.

“If we can get anywhere close to a 100-run lead it could be a big factor on that surface. We know statistically Headingley is a 350-type wicket; that’s what the stats show over the last couple of years, so we feel like 419 is a really good score.”