England legend Stuart Broad has advised Gus Atkinson to improve his body language after a flat performance during the Ashes series against Australia. Atkinson made a sensational start to his Test career for England, picking 69 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 24.21 and scoring 453 runs, including a hundred.
However, the Ashes were rough for high pacers like he took only six goals in three matches before being ruled out of the final Test in Sydney due to injury. Atkinson became the third pacer after Jofro Archer and Mark Wood will be ruled out through injury.
Speaking to Sky Sports Broad, he said Atkinson does not have the body language of a Test bowler and needs to work on it.
“Atkinson has wonderful qualities,” Broad said Sky Sports. “He still averages under 25 with the ball, he rocks the seams, he can swing it, he’s tall, he’s consistent, but his body language isn’t like a tryout pitcher in a battle. He’s had a lot of work to do.”
“It doesn’t matter as much when you’re playing teams you’re supposed to dominate and beat, but not against top teams, so his areas of improvement aren’t attributes or the mental ability to deal with pressure, it’s letting your team know you’re leading that group,” Broad said.
Broad told Atkinson that he should never let the opposition feel they are getting the better of him during the contest.
“I read an article about Tiger Woods, who would never look at the floor while golfing. His eyes were always on the horizon, which is really powerful for body language. When I was under pressure or struggling, I kept my eyes on the horizon because then no one could tell if I hit a good ball or a bad one. You are constantly in a battle and your opposition can’t feel like they are getting on top of you,” Široký said.
The final Test of the Ashes series will begin on January 4.
– The end
Published on:
December 31, 2025
