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Broad learned to play the Australian way

Ashes villain Stuart Broad learned to play his cricket "like an Australian", according to the England fast bowler's father, Chris.

Speaking at a function on the eve of the first Test, Chris Broad said his son's confrontational persona on the field was largely shaped by his experiences playing for Hoppers Crossing in Victoria as a teenager.

Broad sparked controversy at Trent Bridge when he refused to walk after nicking a ball to first slip and on the next day, triumphantly waved his bat around the ground when he finally walked off, dismissed for a match-saving 65.

Later with the ball, Broad (2-34) was all over the Australians, and broke into wild celebration when Michael Clarke was ultimately given out - to tip the match in England's favour.

Chris Broad, a match referee for the ICC and a former England opener, was not in any way referring to walking when he explained his son's attributes as a cricketer.

But he made it clear the uncompromising style that made Australia a Test force, has also influenced England's star allrounder.

"He'd come to a men's game in Australia and they quickly found out whose son he was and started giving him some abuse," said Chris Broad.

"So he had to stand up or lie down and he's not the type of person who is going to lie down.

"He stood up and he gave a little bit back and he learned to play his cricket in an Australian way.

"He very rarely takes a backward step and he's quite fiery."

Although the circumstances were different, Stuart's no-walk brought comparisons to an incident involving his father during an England Test against Pakistan in Lahore back in 1987.

On that day, Chris Broad refused to walk, despite being given out caught behind by umpire Shakeel Khan.

Chris Broad said the attitude of the England team was now all about what the team can do to get a win.

"The teams don't necessarily look at the individual performances ... it's all about the team. It's all about England or Australia winning a Test match and then going on to win the series. And it will be exciting."

England batsman Ian Bell, who scored a brilliant ton and combined for a 138-run second-innings stand with Broad, says the fast bowler was a proven match-winner.

"Broady has the knack of getting big wickets at the right time," he said.