FEATURE - Broad looks to turn potential into performance

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - Stuart Broad, as befits the son of former England opener Chris, has always looked a cricketer of the highest pedigree.

An Ashes series against Australia starting next week will be the perfect opportunity for potential to be translated into consistent achievement with both bat and ball.

After 17 tests, Broad averages 31.35 with the bat which gives a hint of the ability good judges predict will make him into a test class all-rounder.

But his 46 wickets have cost an expensive 37.95 runs each and it is in this area the selectors will expect a marked improvement as England strive to regain the Ashes surrendered so tamely in Australia two years ago.

Broad, still only 23, saw himself primarily as a left-handed batsman like his father before he had a sudden growth surge and turned himself into a pace bowler.

He was selected for the England A side in the West Indies at the age of 19 as a replacement for James Anderson, his new ball partner now in the national side.

Broad made his England debut in Sri Lanka in 2007 then cemented his place in the side on the following tour of New Zealand where two of the regular pace attack, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, lost form.

He made an immediate impression with his stylish late-order batting and bowled with pace as well as proving an athletic and versatile fielder.