Broad's nightmares after bouncer blow

England bowler Stuart Broad has admitted he still has nightmares after being hit by a bouncer that broke his nose last winter in a Test against India, and is working with a sports psychologist to overcome the problem.

Broad was left bloodied and bruised after a ball from Indian quick Varun Aaron went between the peak of his helmet and grille during the third Test at Old Trafford.

Broad played the next match with a mask and said he felt "nervous but fine" but a break from cricket after knee surgery saw the nightmares start.

"It knocked my confidence big time," Broad said. "Not for the next game — I felt fine going out to bat, nervous but fine. But, during my time having four months with a knee injury, I've had nightmares about it.

"I've had times when I've felt the ball just about to hit my face in the middle of the night. It has been quite tough. I'm working with the sports psychologist to try to focus the mind on other things.

"After my knee operation last year, I don't know if the drugs had anything to do with it but I'd wake up feeling like a ball had hit me in the face.

"It was all a bit strange. It's a weird thing to see the ball thinking you are about to be hit.

"I still have that picture in my mind and I can remember it clearly. It is a weird situation."

Broad, speaking at a Hardys wines event in Adelaide, where England play Bangladesh in a must-win Pool A encounter, scored 37 in his next Test (compared  to a career average of 24).

Broad details his nightmares to the press in Adelaide // Getty Images

He has underwhelmed in the World Cup so far – he is averaging 92 with the ball, having taken two wickets for 184 runs at more than 6.27 an over, while scoring just four runs in three innings with the bat.

His dismissal against a rampant New Zealand, when he chipped a catch to mid-off, was labelled "soft" by Australia Test legend and TV commentator Shane Warne.

"Last summer, I scored quite a few runs and averaged 25 or 30 in Test matches," Broad said.

"In one-day stuff, it is tough to bat at No.9. You're preparing to face only five or six balls and whack them out of the park.

"You do not get the training time like you do for a Test where you could bat for 20 overs.

"I'll be fine come the Test match stuff when I get back on the horse properly."