Stuart Broad has described the early-season support he received at Trent Bridge as crucial to his landmark summer on the world stage.

Broad, who this year became the seventh man in history to take 500 Test wickets, has received a nomination for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards after taking 29 scalps in the English summer.

But he insists that the groundwork he laid in West Bridgford before cricket’s return was vital.

“I wouldn't have been able to perform in the way I did in July and August if it wasn't for the way Peter Moores, Kevin Shine and James Pipe drove me on at Trent Bridge,” he said.

“And, to be honest, having Trent Bridge to myself for a little while was pretty special!

“When I played on the outfield here as a kid, never did I dream that I'd have the place completely to myself for a month.

“I remember Joe Root coming for his first bat and I almost felt a bit like ‘oi, this is my training ground, what are you doing here?!’

“Any time you walk into Trent Bridge – whether you're just nipping in the changing room to grab a bit of equipment, whether you're coming to train, or whether you're coming to play a Test match, it's got an amazing feeling about it.

“I wouldn't have been able to perform in the way I did in July and August if it wasn't for the way Peter Moores, Kevin Shine and James Pipe drove me on at Trent Bridge.”

“Even doing this interview up here in Six, just looking around Nottingham… it's a brilliant place. I can't wait to watch some cricket from up here because it's incredible.”

While the prospect of watching on from the Radcliffe Road Stand holds clear appeal, it is to matters on the field at Trent Bridge that Broad’s mind is firmly focussed.

“A big goal of mine for next year is to be available to play another Test match at Trent Bridge, because they’re always very special occasions,” he said.

“As a player, you’re desperate to play at your favourite grounds and, having had two years without a Test here, I feel like I've had two summers taken away from me in a way.”

Whilst Broad wasn’t able to turn out on his home ground in 2020, he was still able to reach new heights in the Test arena.

Statistically, the 2020 English summer was the Nottinghamshire seamer’s finest, with his 29 wickets coming at an average of 13.41.

It was a run of form which answered any lingering questions the 34-year-old may have had about being able to perform in behind-closed-doors, biosecure, conditions.

“There have been times this year where it's been a bit strange,” he said.

“There were question marks in my own head at the start of the year about how I would perform without fans in the ground, but I was able to answer those questions in my own head, which allowed me to perform.

“It was very unique to go into a sporting season with your first competitive game being at international level.

“I think every professional who kept themselves in condition, and kept themselves mentally competitive through that period, needs a lot of credit.

“And alongside the guys at Notts, I had great support from the ECB.

“A big goal of mine for next year is to be available to play another Test match at Trent Bridge, because they’re always very special occasions.”

“It's not as if the people who look after us at England turned their phones off and said ‘right, see you in June.’

“We were guided through the season mentally and physically, and they deserve a huge amount of credit for that.”

Broad’s year has now been capped by his first SPOTY nomination – and the chance to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sir Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes as cricketing winners of the BBC showpiece.

That nomination is also, perhaps, a sign of how vital Broad and his teammates’ efforts were in upholding morale during a difficult year.

“To be nominated for something like that in this year gives me real boost actually,” said Broad.

“We thrived in that England dressing room this summer on the opportunity to provide entertainment for people during a tough time.

“Obviously, the focus was on winning and competing, as it always is in international sport; but we were aware that sport has kept people going this year in a way. It’s given people something to look forward to and enjoy.

“It’s a year I can look back on and be very proud of, and now I can look forward to the awards evening, and being in a room with some very special sporting talent.”

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It’s our great pleasure to declare that membership of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for 2021 is well-and-truly on sale now, with top ticketing priority for our splendid international summer going to those who join our club.