Chris Broad: 16 facts about the former England opener turned ICC match referee

Born September 29, 1957, Brian Christopher Broad is a former England opener, who represented the country in 25 Tests and 34 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Suvajit Mustafi looks at 16 facts about the batsman with fiery temper, who later became a renowned ICC match referee.

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

 

1.  Suffered from osteomyelitis

Broad suffered from osteomyelitis when he was 15. The disease affecting the bones took a toll on his career early on but he eventually made his First-Class debut as a 21-year-old.

 2.  Nicknames

Broad is fondly called ‘Walter’ or ‘Broodie’. 

3.  First-Class debut

He made his First-Class debut for Gloucestershire as a 21-year-old. Broad opened the batting against the Cambridge University side and struck a fine 86 in the first innings, but he fell short of another fifty in the second. 

4.  Move to Nottinghamshire

Not happy with the lack of vision at Gloucestershire, he moved to the strong Nottinghamshire unit. He was picked in the England side at once. 

5.  A mixed Test debut

He made his debut at the cricket’s Mecca, Lord’s. Playing against the West Indies in the 1980s was a tough ask but Broad, by now an experienced First-Class cricketer, responded well to the task. In the first innings, he and Graeme Fowler added 101 for the first wicket. He scored 55. However, in the second innings, Joel Garner dismissed him for nought. Despite Ian Botham’s heroics in the Test, England lost it courtesy Gordon Greenidge’s 214 not out, which helped the West Indies chase down 342. 

6.  Fiery temper

Broad was known for his temper. In the bicentenary Test at Sydney, he smashed the stumps after being bowled and was later fined £500 by the tour manager. More than once was he seen mouthing-off after getting dismissed. Years later, he became a match referee and it would be interesting to know how Broad would have handled a player like him. It’s said that his son Stuart, also inherited the feisty temper.

In a report from Mirror, Stuart was quoted as saying, “I have been a bit hot under the collar but that is only because I care about international cricket and care so much about the result — that is why I get so hot-headed. I have followed in my dad’s footsteps in that regard and once or twice in my career I have asked the umpire what is wrong, but it is in my nature and I think it is important you show passion playing for your country.” 

7.  Ashes hero

Leaving out the ‘temper’ part, Chris inspired son Stuart in other ways too. In the Ashes 1986-87, he equalled the records of Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond, when he scored centuries in three successive Tests. England won the series 2-1 and Broad finished with 467 runs at 69.57. 

8.  Playing in South Africa

During South Africa’s isolation from international cricket due to the apartheid regime, Broad played First-Class cricket in that country. He represented Orange Free State. He was also the member of the controversial 1990 rebel tour to South Africa. 

9.  Underachiever

Broad played in 25 Tests and 34 ODIs for England. While he averaged 39.54 in the longer format is respectable, his ODI average of 40.02 is more than commendable. However, he was so highly rated that the expectations were always more. He ended with almost 22,000 First-Class runs, notching up 50 hundreds. Cricket correspondent Colin Bateman once said, “Chris Broad pressed the self-destruct button on a career that promised so much. His lack of self-control at the crease brought a sad end to his reign as England opener at the age of 30, when he should have been enjoying his prime years.” 

10.  Commentator

He later returned to Gloucestershire and played for them in 1993-94 before curtains fell on his cricket career. He then joined the BBC’s  commentary team. 

11.  Match-referee

Broad is one of the most experienced ICC Match referees, having officiated in 72 Tests, 263 ODIs and 54 T20Is. In January 2015, he became only the second referee to have officiated in 250 ODIs. 

12.  Children

He is the father of the star England pacer Stuart Broad. Like his father, Stuart too has played for Nottinghamshire and England. The younger Broad has been a more successful cricketer, having appeared in 84 Tests, 119 ODIs and 56 T20Is. He has also the led the side. Stuart emulated his dad’s feats and became one of the heroes of the 2015 Ashes win. Chris’ daughter Gemma is a performance analyst with England’s One-Day side. 

13.  A hero during Lahore attacks 2009 and Miandad’s ire

Broad was the match-referee for the ill-fated Lahore Test in March 2009. He was in a convoy of vehicles that was attacked by the terrorists. The incident saw six policemen and two civilians killed. It’s reported that Broad risked his life to protect an injured umpire. He shielded the umpire’s body by diving on top of him. He later criticised the lack of security arrangements. Broad’s criticism earned the ire of Javed Miandad who sought a ban on him. In 2011, he said, “I won’t be going to Pakistan again.” 

14.  Second wife’s suicide

Broad’s second wife Michelle was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2009 and a year later she committed suicide. MND was the focus of the ‘ice bucket challenge’ campaign. 

15.  Relationship

Broad has been in a relationship with Rosemarie MacDonald since the passing away of Michelle. Chris is sure that Michelle would be delighted that he is with Rosemarie and in an interview with Daily Mail, he said, “I think in some ways they are fairly similar. Rosemarie is also someone who has a love of life and who likes to laugh. Miche would be happy that I am happy.”

Both, Broad and Rosemarie took part in ‘ice bucket challenge’ campaign to raise money to fight MND. 

16.  “The Broad Appeal”

Broad established the charity “The Broad Appeal” along with Michelle shortly before her death. Now Rosemary is involved in running of it along with active involvement from Broad’s children,  Chris and Gemma.

(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, a jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sportsmarketer , strategist, entrepreneur,  philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)