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Broad never lost faith in own ability

The England veteran showed his class with a vintage performance on day two of the Boxing Day Test

England quick Stuart Broad admits he bunkered down in the face of the recent barrage of criticism that came his way, but never doubted he could bounce back.

Broad repaid the faith of selectors, with three wickets as Australia crumbled on day two of the Boxing Day Test to finish with figures of 4-51 from 28 overs.

WATCH: Broad, England rip through Australia

After taking a modest five wickets in the first two Tests of the series, Broad's position was in serious doubt after a horror 0-142 showing at the WACA.

Australian bowling great Glenn McGrath and former England skipper Michael Vaughan were among the most vocal critics calling for him to be dropped for the Melbourne Test.

Broad, who has also struggled with a knee injury, bowled 414 balls without a wicket before he found the edge of Usman Khawaja's bat on Boxing Day.

After Australia resumed at 3-244, Broad bundled out Shaun Marsh (61), Pat Cummins (four) and Jackson Bird (4) on England's best day of the series.

"I've had one of those weeks where you get your tin hat on, duck down and don't really see much," Broad said when asked about the stinging reviews of his recent performances.

WATCH: Broad admits he deserved criticism

"I've been very unaware of things being written and said.

"I've gone to that place that you have to go to as a sportsman sometimes where you find something within yourself and get support from some people around you and build yourself back up again.

"It's been a pretty tough couple of weeks really, but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding."

Broad has had a lean year by his standards, taking 25 wickets in 10 Test matches leading into the fourth Test in Melbourne.

At 31 and playing in his 113th Test, questions have been asked about his longevity in the game and he has no problem with that.

"I deserved criticism after the Perth defeat, for sure," he said.

"I'm a better bowler when I'm thinking attackingly.

"I think at the WACA I fell into a bit of a mental trap of looking not to concede runs instead of looking to take wickets.

"It's a small mental change but actually quite a big thing for me as a cricketer."

Australia XI: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England XI: Joe Root (c), Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Dawid Malan, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21