Ashes hero Chris Broad on how rare 1986 Brisbane win set tone for historic tour

Memories are still fresh as former Ashes stars relive the famous tour with tales on and off the field in a new podcast – and Chris Broad, father of current England star Stuart, has fondly relived all about the 1986 series Down Under

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Winning in Brisbane this week could set England on their way to the most unlikely of Ashes triumphs just like it did 35 years ago, according to one of its stars.

England have only won four times out of 21 attempts at the Gabba against Australia and the last time they did back in 1986, it was both utterly unexpected and the start of one of the greatest tours of them all.

With a star all rounder playing a central role, a couple of bowlers playing for the first time Down Under and a man called Broad in the squad, the similarities between England then and now are uncanny.

“Just like Martin Johnson wrote before our series, you could say of this England side they can’t bat, can’t bowl and can’t field,” said former opener Chris Broad.

“The only difference is that it has been the weather which has caused that problem this time rather than our indifferent performances before the 86 series!

“Still, we managed to show that we certainly could do those things by the end of that tour which was the most enjoyable of most of our careers.

“Winning in Australia is a very special thing and the memories of that tour are still there and will be for a long while yet.”

Broad and others who were a part of that 2-1 success have their memory banks mined by presenter Mark Pougatch in the podcast series ‘Inside the Tour’ where you can hear tales of thirsty players in Bundaberg – yes, where the rum comes from – and how Elton John became known as ‘EJ the DJ’.

But it is also about the cricket and a remarkable series in which England were given no chance but started brightly in Brisbane and kept it going from there.

Broad was 35 not out at the end of the first Test as England won by seven wickets thanks to a swashbuckling 138 from Lord Ian Botham, who was simply Beefy back in those days.

Neither Broad nor his teammates could have predicted that he would go on to become an Ashes hero during that series, reeling off three hundreds at Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Only Jack Hobbs, Wally Hammond and Sir Alastair Cook have done the same, putting him in some rarified company indeed.

“I’m not really sure how I ended up alongside those greats of the game, but I’m very proud to have played my part in an Ashes win,” added Broad.

“They are amazing players. I suppose Cooky and I are of a similar ilk in our styles as two left handers who wouldn’t necessarily have emptied many bars in our time, but just go out there and do our jobs.

“It is a nice feather in my cap definitely and something I cherish, but I try not to bring it up too much, unless I’m talking to Stuart.

“My mum and dad were in the crowd in Perth too when I scored my maiden Test hundred which was great.”

The Stuart he refers to of course is his son and the current England bowler who is sure to play his 150th Test match at some point on this tour.

Ordinarily Chris would have tried to get along to watch the moment in person, if his schedule as an ICC match referee allowed, but travel has not been possible this time due to Covid.

Although he was there when Stuart took his 500th Test wicket behind closed doors in 2020, courtesy of Covid which meant English officials for England home matches.

“There aren’t many people who have Covid to thank for much, but the chance to see Stuart achieve that landmark and to referee England was a bit of a treat,” he added.

“Whenever he gets to 150 Tests he can be hugely proud of himself as I am of him. He’s worked so hard and been such a terrific player for England for a very long time. It will be a deserved reward.”

Inside the Tour – The Ashes 1986/87is available now. To subscribevisit auddy.co/ITT