Player: | D Gough |
Event: | Pakistan in British Isles 2006 |
Darren Gough believes he and novice quick Stuart Broad can form a potent new-ball partnership during the forthcoming one-day series against Pakistan.
 
Fast bowler Stephen Harmison's withdrawal from the five-match campaign to rest a back injury has left England searching for a fresh pairing. 
And they certainly need to find a spark from somewhere as they bid to end a dismal record in one-day cricket that includes seven straight defeats, including two Twenty20 reverses, at home to Test match opponents this season. 
Gough, England's most successful one-day bowler and the 20-year-old Broad, who was making his senior international debut, joined forces for the first time in Monday's five-wicket Twenty20 defeat by Pakistan in Bristol. 
Broad took two wickets in two balls before being denied a hat-trick by a typically flamboyant skied drive from Shahid Afridi that fell safe. 
Meanwhile the 35-year-old Gough, making his first England appearance in over a year, bowled better than figures of none for 33 from 3.5 overs might suggest. 
Broad, the son of former England opening batsman Chris, played a key role in Leicestershire's march to the domestic Twenty20 title and Gough added: "I said after I saw him live for the first time at the Twenty20 finals that he is by far the best (of the young bowlers) that I've seen. 
"He bowled really well again last (Monday) night. It's not easy, a Twenty20 international," said Gough who, along with Broad, hopes to be in the England squad for next year's World Cup in the Caribbean. 
And Gough believes Broad could force his way into England's squad for their Ashes defence away to Australia starting in November. 
"I would take him as a 17th person and if he keeps improving then he'll take plenty of wickets," he also told reporters at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens ground on Tuesday. 
"I'll pass on anything I know. I don't keep it secret; I will give anybody anything I've got for them to improve their game." 
Gough, who has taken 235 wickets from 157 one-day internationals, said he and the 6ft 7in Broad complemented each other well. 
"I've always believed England perform better when they have this sort of combination - a skiddy bowler like me and one who is tall and gets carry to the wicketkeeper like him. 
As well as battling a longstanding knee injury, which forced him to call time on his Test career three years ago, Gough's England prospects were harmed during the off-season by his appeareance on a BBC television talent contest. 
Having declined to go on the one-day leg of the tour of Pakistan for family reasons, Gough then won 'Strictly Come Dancing' and was left out of the squad for the subsequent tour of India. 
"I told the chairman of selectors (David Graveney) I wouldn't be going away before Christmas. It was a bonus when that (BBC offer) came along. 
"I know the reason I didn't go away - and people close to me do as well." 
During his England exile Gough has been the most vocal advocate of his own recall and, having returned to the fold, he was in typically bullish mood. 
"They've given everyone else the opportunity to take my place, but nobody has done it," said Gough, who topped the 80mph mark in Bristol. 
Meanwhile Broad was still soaking up his first taste of international cricket. "It was a great experience. The crowd was great; the lads were great... it was just a shame about the result. 
"I didn't feel too daunted, because I'd already played in a big game on Twenty20 finals day. I felt quite relaxed and at home." 
And of his father's influence, Broad said: "I had to be a bowler, because I could never get the bat off him in the back garden. I was always running in. 
"He (Chris) said he was a good net bowler, but I've yet to see it. 
"When I grew a bit and got a bit more bounce from a good length I could see it was just developing. 
"It wasn't my choice. I was aiming to be a batsman who bowled a bit - but I've ended up being a bowler who's trying to bat a bit."(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)