Former 'bad boy' Broad joins panel of referees

On the day that two neutral umpires stood in a Test match in England for the first time, one of this country's former "bad boys" found himself elevated to the very officialdom that he fell foul of 15 years ago.

The International Cricket Council yesterday published its lists of the chosen few, the second tier of umpires and referees who will be called on to officiate around the world. Included on the latter listing is one-time "rebel" Chris Broad.

It was on the 1987-88 tour of Pakistan that the former Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and England opener was severely reprimanded for refusing to leave the crease after being given out in the first Test. Later that winter, during the Centenary Test in Sydney he went a step further.

Having taken yet another century off the Australian attack overnight Broad contrived to chop a ball on to his stumps. In disgust he whirled around and smashed what remained of his wicket with his bat, an act which cost him £500 in fines.

Broad said last night: "I suppose the phrase 'poacher turned gamekeeper' springs to mind."