Stuart Broad's best chance of becoming one of England's all-time greats is to simply focus on enjoying his cricket, says his dad Chris.

Broad will play his 70th Test for England on his home ground when he lines up against India at Trent Bridge tomorrow.

The 28-year-old Nottinghamshire seamer has every chance of pushing well past 100 Test caps if his body and form holds up, having taken 245 wickets so far in his career.

And his dad Chris, who played 25 Tests between 1984 and 1989, said: "I just hope Stuart continues to enjoy playing for England. What will be will be when it comes to his future.

"You can't think about becoming a great cricketer. No one ever becomes a great cricketer that way. You have to enjoy your cricket and see where that takes you.

"I think he's doing very well. Being the only player to take two hat-tricks for England is a great achievement for sure. I'm sure that's one he'll treasure."

It has been well documented that Stuart had no idea he had taken his second hat-trick in the second Test defeat to Sri Lanka at Headingley last month as his first wicket was in the final ball of an over with the next two following in the over after.

Former Notts batsman Chris, now a Test referee, was watching on TV overseas and he admits the whole scenario was an unusual one as no one on the field realised what was happening. "It was certainly an unusual situation. I was in the Caribbean at the time watching it," he said.

"David Lloyd was commentating on Sky at the time and he seemed to know a hat-trick had been taken but no one in the England team seemed to realise."

Stuart made his international return from injury against the Sri Lankans having played two games for Notts in the County Championship.

Chris feels he is still feeling the effects of the knee tendonitis that kept him out of the start of the season, but he will have benefited from playing the last two Tests.

"I think Stuart is still a bit rusty. He bowled a lot of overs in the Tests against Sri Lanka and that will have done him a lot of good," he said.

For more news, previews and match reports visit the Nottingham Post.

 

Limited tickets remain for our Investec Test Match. Don't miss the chance to take in the unique experience of Investec Test cricket in the iconic surroundings of Trent Bridge. Secure your seats now.