STUART BROAD says new England captain Joe Root is already demanding players up their games.
After losing eight Tests in 2016, Root wants a dramatic improvement on his watch and is insisting players work ultra-hard to improve their skills.
Root, 26, showed his toughness in another way – by accidentally putting the boot into former skipper Alastair Cook during a game of football.
And he asserted his authority off the ptich by recalling Yorkshire pal Gary Ballance for tomorrow’s First Test.
Root wants everyone to take personal responsibility for getting better.
And Broad said: “I know Joe wants every player to improve on certain things.
“That means in training spending extra time on specific skills that can help move the team forward.
“He’ll tell us the way he wants his team to play and what he expects from us. I’d expect his authority to be stamped on the team pretty quickly.”
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Broad, 31, says his seven-month absence from international cricket makes him feel like he is making his debut all over again.
Because he is not part of the white ball team, Broad has not played since the 4-0 Test series defeat in India in December.
With a four-Test home series against the powerful Proteas and an Ashes tour looming, Broad is excited about Root’s captaincy.
The fast bowler, who has 368 wickets in 102 Tests, added: “It’s very exciting. It feels like a new era with Joe as captain. It’s great to be back, there’s a nice buzz.
“I don’t think I’ve had a gap like this playing for England and it reminds you how special it is and how lucky you are.
“I’ve never played under Joe and it will be interesting to see the routes he wants to go down, pardon the pun.
“He’s a very positive player and I’m sure he’ll want his team to play like that.
“He’s an attacking person and I’d expect us to put a lot of pressure on new batsmen.
“I don’t think Joe’s going to be one who stands up in the changing room speaking all the time. He’ll lead the way he plays.”
Broad says his two most experienced pals — retired skipper Alastair Cook and swing bowler James Anderson — should be around for at least another year or two.
Cook, 32, has scored six tons for Essex this summer and Anderson, 34, is fit and firing after recovering from shoulder and groin injuries.
Broad said: “I know Jimmy has a huge target of winning The Ashes in Australia and Cooky has a real buzz about him, he’s been awesome for Essex.”
Meanwhile, Mike Brearley, England’s most feted captain, has warned of a “looming crisis” facing Test cricket.
He chairs the influential MCC World Cricket Committee and fears the spread of T20 is swamping the five-day game
The WCC now want the ICC to bring in a World Test Championship every two years.
TO perform at the highest level requires burning ambition, strong focus and an out-of-the-ordinary attitude — qualities you’ll find at Investec. Investec.com/cricket
Cook sticks boot into Root
ALASTAIR COOK showed no mercy to new captain Joe Root yesterday when it came to playing football.
Ex-skipper Cook assaulted Root’s right ankle with an eye-watering tackle during the England team’s daily kickabout warm-up.
It was Cook’s first day back in the ranks after he stood down earlier this year following England’s 4-0 defeat in India.
There was no lasting damage and Root and Cook were soon working together on slip catching practice as England prepared for the First Test against South Africa at Lord’s tomorrow.
England banned football in 2009 after Owais Shah inflicted a knee injury on fellow batsman Joe Denly with an ill-timed tackle.
But the kickabouts returned a couple of years ago in a bid to make practice more fun.
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