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Broad savours ‘amazing’ Test century

England were 47 for five early on the second day and still deep in trouble at 102 for seven when Broad came to the crease, with Pakistan well-placed as they sought a victory that would level the four-match campaign at 2-2.

It looked like Pakistan’s 18-year-old left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who in the course of taking six for 73 became the youngest bowler to 50 Test wickets, would be the star of the day.

But England recovered to 346 for seven come stumps with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 149 and No 9 Broad, primarily a seamer, 125 not out in an England record eighth-wicket stand against Pakistan so far worth 244.

Former England opener Chris Broad, now an ICC match referee, made six Test hundreds but they were all overseas and Stuart told reporters: “It’s a feeling I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and it’s nice to be the first Broad up on that honours board,”

Broad said he was especially pleased by the way he’d managed his innings.

“In my mind I wanted to play quite freely, because it’s doing a bit here, and anyone who tried to hang around was gone so I had a licence to have a look,” explained the 24-year-old after reaching three figures for the first time in what is his 32^nd Test.

“But I also knew that if we were 100 all out this Test series was going to be 2-2.

“I wanted to be aggressive and take the attack to the bowlers, but I had to do it in a manner that I didn’t give my wicket away cheaply. And I think I managed that.”

He also paid tribute to No 3 Trott, whose hundred was his third in 13 Tests, saying: “He was out there for the whole collapse and saw the ball nipping around. That can easily get in a batsman’s mind.

“But he played with such clarity and picked up anything that was slightly a bad ball and put it away,” added Broad of the South Africa born Trott, who made a century on debut in England’s Ashes clinching win at The Oval last year - where Broad took five for 37.

“It is a special effort, and we all know what a great temperament he has.”

However, Broad insisted the result of this match was far from certain.

“We’re certainly not ahead in this game just yet. We need to make sure we get some good runs tomorrow (Saturday).”

England saw their middle-order trio of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan all dismissed for nought by Aamer and Broad said: “There have been moments of magical bowling in this series.

“Aamer this morning was splendid. Some of those deliveries he bowled to the left-handers were brilliant.”

And Broad insisted this collapse would have no bearing on England’s defence of the Ashes in Australia, which starts in November.

“I don’t think anyone in the England camp is particularly worried about the lack of runs in the middle order, because we know they’re all world-class players - and it doesn’t affect anything for the Ashes.”

Meanwhile Aamer said he felt mixed emotions.

“They were the best figures of my career, that’s why I am happy but I am a little bit sad.

“They (England) are in a good position—we were in a good position but now we are on the back foot.

“They are playing very well, especially Broad. He’s not a batsman but today he looked like a batsman while Trott is technically very strong and very calm.”