Broad's father urges caution

Chris Broad: cautious about his son's progress © Getty Images

Stuart Broad's matchwinning display with bat and ball in the fourth ODI against India at Old Trafford has clearly marked him out as a star of the future, but according to his father - the former England opening batsman and current ICC match referee, Chris - the selectors must avoid getting too carried away too soon.

England's Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in December is set to be announced in the coming weeks, but Broad Sr believes that his son, 21, should not be included for a six-week trip that is recognised as one of the most arduous on the international circuit.

"We don't want to get too carried away or look too far ahead," said Chris Broad. "We just want to enjoy the moment. If you start expecting him to get runs and wickets all at the same time, it's a lot to ask of a 21-year-old."

Broad was earmarked for a Test debut against India at Lord's earlier this summer, but was overlooked at the last minute in favour of Chris Tremlett. And his father remains keen that he is not pitched into the highest level too soon, especially with several big-name bowlers working their way back to fitness.

"If you look at the Test bowlers, Harmison, Hoggard and Flintoff are still much ahead of him at the moment," said Broad. "Would you take a young bowler on a tour like that to carry the drinks? I think he's better off playing."

"I believe there's an Academy or A tour to India," he added. "[Stuart] might be better off going on that - and maybe saving him for the Tests in New Zealand early next year where conditions are similar to here."

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