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It says much for the unrelenting nature of modern international cricket that, just as Stuart Broad reaches a milestone deserving of reflection and reward, he also embarks on a daunting new challenge.Success in India is one of the few holes in Broads record that will, from Wednesday, include 100 Test caps. Yes, he was a member of the squad that won here in 2012 but he didnt take a wicket in the series and was hampered by injury throughout. He has bowled well in the UAE, Australia (he was Englands best bowler in the 2013-14 Ashes), South Africa and, of course, England. But if he has anything to prove to anyone anywhere, it is surely in India.We have, perhaps, become somewhat inured to these 100-cap milestones. There have been so many of late with Broad following James Anderson, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell to the landmark from the England team that made it to No. 1 in the Test rankings.But Cook tells an interesting story from the Barbados Test of 2015. Realising his Test career was over, Jonathan Trott asked to speak to the team at the end of the game. He had, he said, come to understand that the England cap was the best thing youll ever wear. The gap between his 49th and 50th caps - Brisbane 2013 to Antigua 2015 in his case - had been life-changing and had brought home to him the value of each and every one. It had reminded him how hard they were to earn, how some were soaked in champagne, others in tears and all of them in sweat. It had taught him that every one is precious and represented a terrific achievement. To have earned 100 can only be the reflection of an outstanding career.Broad becomes the 14th England player to reach the milestone but just the third seamer. Only Ian Botham and James Anderson have taken more Test wickets for England. The averages, strike-rates and economy-rates of all three are almost identical.And Broad is only 30. He aims, he says, to play in at least two more Ashes series - an aspiration that would take him up to the end of the 2019 English season - and retains hopes of regaining a place in the ODI side. He may well finish as Englands leading Test wicket-taker.His importance to England has rarely been greater. In the absence of Anderson, he is required to lead the attack in Rajkot which will involve not just striking with the new ball, but gaining reverse with the old. His use of cutters has improved immensely over recent years - not least the one that saw Asad Shafiq slice to point in the most recent Old Trafford Test - and he has, he says, benefited from a couple of weeks in the nets of late to rediscover his outswinger.The last time Broad played in a Test series here he was replaced by Steven Finn after the first two Tests. At the time, the tour management let it be known they were not overwhelmed with Broads efforts but, subsequently, it transpired he had lacerated the fat pad in his left heel ahead of the first Test. I probably shouldnt have played that series, he says now. I wasnt fit.Perhaps that is an instructive episode. For Broad, like other highly-talented players before him, has the ability when at his best to make cricket look easy. With his height and frame, he sometimes looks as if he was born to bowl. And, like David Gower or Chris Lewis, the downside of such obvious natural talent is that, when he is not at his best, he can look as if he is not trying quite as hard as he might be.Its an impression that is largely corrected when you see him at close quarters. When you see the toenails ripped off by the pounding of his feet in delivery, when you see him diving full length to stop balls in the field, when you hear stories of the quiet encouragement he has given to other players who have been struggling, you come to the conclusion that he is utterly committed to the welfare of the team but that, at times, his body or his rhythm or his technique dont allow him to produce his best form. Theres no lack of effort.Has he achieved absolutely every target we had for him? Certainly the batting, that once shone with so much promise, has fallen away to the stage where hopes that he can ever be considered a true allrounder have long since been abandoned. And, at times, he has struggled to maintain the pace or away movement that characterise his bowling at its best. The years of operating in a four-man attack - alongside Anderson he was the most-bowled seamer in international cricket for several years - probably took their toll.He has certainly produced great spells. Seven times he has taken five wickets in a spell and several of them (The Oval, Trent Bridge, Durham and The Wanderers) have helped wrap up big series.He picks out two as his own favourites: the 8 for 15 against Australia on his home ground of Trent Bridge in 2015 - its two-and-a-half days Ill remember with huge fondness, he says - and the 6 for 17 at The Wanderers in early 2016. That stands out, he says, in such a tough and aggressive atmosphere to play in.Anderson, writing in a Daily Mail column, suggested he had seen him bowl even better. He highlighted the 7 for 44 against New Zealand at Lords in 2013 - it was a brutal spell, Anderson said, he looked threatening every ball - and the 5 for 37 on a flat wicket at The Oval in 2009 as Broads best. The fact that there are so many to choose from rather underlines Broads value.We are unlikely to see such spells on this tour. The Rajkot pitch, while not as dry as those seen in Bangladesh, is already cracked and the relatively lush outfield - there are no recently used pitches on the square - will do nothing to help bowlers find reverse swing.While a couple of England batsmen poured water across concrete wickets before practising - a technique they use to replicate the ball skidding on - in case the seamers play more of a role than anticipated, it remains likely that Broad and co. will generally be used in a holding role. To that end, he will have to bowl many tight overs in hot conditions with little prospect of great reward. Broad, once the poster boy of English cricket, now has the most unglamorous job of all.Broad himself referred to it as without a doubt the biggest challenge of his career.We are coming as massive underdogs, theres no doubt about that, he said. Obviously India have got to No.1 in the world and played some brilliant cricket here so were very aware this is a huge challenge. This is a tough place to come and play.Well have to learn very quickly. It was quite a tough experience, losing ten wickets in that one session in Dhaka, and actually, confidence is a tricky one to know because weve not had any warm-up games here to test out in the middle.But also weve got nothing to fear, because not many of our side have actually played cricket over here.This is a chance to show what I can do. I think I only bowled 25 overs in the series the last time we were here. It was a frustrating period for me, but I feel in a pretty good place at the moment. I feel Ive been a bit more consistent in the English summer without taking a big haul. Ive felt really good in the nets and Im excited to get going.If Broad successfully pulls off his role in this series, it will represent an impressive maturation. Gone are the days when he thought of himself as the sides enforcer; gone are the days when he would go missing for a couple of games (since May 2013, he has a Test bowling average of 24.93; Andersons is 24.07 over the same period); gone are the days when he strutted and sulked his way through spells in trying conditions.As his pace has diminished, his need for control and skill has increased and he has developed into an intelligent, skillful bowler whom his captain can rely upon not just to be the star, but to get his hands dirty and do the supporting work. His has been an excellent career and there are several more chapters in his story to be told. Threadborne Shoes Online .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Under Armour Outlet .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. http://www.outletunderarmourstore.com/ . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Ua Hovr Online . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Curry 2 Shoes For Sale . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. NEW YORK -- The way Wilmer Flores is hitting, it appears he plans to stay on the field -- regardless of Jose Reyes arrival.Both infielders were in the lineup Wednesday and teamed up to lead the Mets past Miami 4-2. After the game, however, New York put struggling right-hander Matt Harvey on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort.Flores homered twice, Jacob deGrom pitched seven strong innings and the Mets won for the sixth time in seven games. Reyes had a pair of doubles for his first big league hits this season and keyed a two-run rally in the third.He creates a lot of problems at the top of the lineup, New York second baseman Neil Walker said. Hes going to be important for us setting the table for the guys in the middle.Reyes rejoined the Mets on Tuesday and went 0 for 4 in his first major league game since serving a 59-day domestic violence suspension. All set to play third base, Reyes is expected to cut into Flores playing time -- but the New York fan favorite has hit four home runs since Sunday.Definitely a good feeling, Flores said.Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton went deep twice for the second consecutive day, making him the first major leaguer to homer in four straight at-bats since Albert Pujols in April 2006, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Stantons power surge gave him 200 homers.I did not know that until a minute ago. So thats really cool, he said.But that was all the Marlins mustered in finishing a 3-6 trip. Chris Johnson struck out with the bases loaded to end the first, and Christian Yelich grounded into a double play with runners at the corners in the fifth.Curtis Granderson hit a two-run single in the third after Reyes doubled inside third base. He pointed toward the Mets dugout and patted his helmet several times.Yesterday I was a little excited, Reyes said. Today was more like a normal day for me.The Mets took two of three from Miami ahead of a four-game showdown with the NL East-leading Nationals this weekend at Citi Field leading into the All-Star break.New York was swept in a three-game series at Washington last week.Itd be good to have a little traction going into the off days, Walker said. I think were more confident than we were a week ago up and down the lineup.Following a 26-pitch first inning, deGrom (5-4) settled in and won his second straight start after going winless in his previous 10. The right-hander gave up six hits and struck out seven while throwing a season-high 117 pitches in his final scheduled outing before the break.We needed it. We were a little short again in the `pen today, so we needed him to go deep, Mets manager Terry Collins said.Addison Reed worked a perfect eighth and All-Star closer Jeurys Familia got three outs for his major league-best 30th save. Pinch-hitter Ichiro Suzuki groundedd into a game-ending double play, keeping him at 2,990 hits.ddddddddddddFamilia has converted a club-record 46 consecutive regular-season save opportunities since August, though he did blow a four-run lead this year.Flores connected twice off left-hander Justin Nicolino (2-5), who fell to 0-5 in his last 10 major league starts. It was Flores fourth career multihomer game and second in four days, including a 6-for-6 performance Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.When hes doing what hes doing, its invaluable for us, Walker said.ALL-STAR PLANSCollins, who will manage the National League next Tuesday in San Diego, said New York RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 2.41 ERA) is in the mix to start the All-Star Game. Syndergaard recently had his right elbow checked because hes been pitching with a bone spur, and that will factor into the decision on whether he appears in the Midsummer Classic, Collins said. Syndergaard is scheduled to start Friday night against Washington ace Stephen Strasburg (11-0).TRAINERS ROOMMarlins: 1B Justin Bour was put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 3, with a sprained right ankle. Veteran utilityman Don Kelly was called up from Triple-A New Orleans and played first base, his first major league start since April 12, 2015. The 36-year-old Kelly is married to Walkers older sister, Carrie. Walker twice threw out Kelly on grounders. ... 3B Martin Prado was rested.Mets: Harvey (4-10, 4.86 ERA) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday. He was seen by team doctors and referred to Dr. Robert Thompson for further examination Thursday in St. Louis, the Mets said. Harvey had been scheduled to start Saturday night against Nationals RHP Max Scherzer. RHP Seth Lugo was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. ... SS Asdrubal Cabrera was scratched from the lineup about 10 minutes before the first pitch. The team announced it was because a family illness kept him up all night. 1B James Loney was inserted, shifting Flores from 1B to 3B and Reyes from 3B to SS, his natural position. Reyes played third on Tuesday night.UP NEXTMarlins: Following an off day, All-Star RHP Jose Fernandez (10-4, 2.69 ERA) starts Friday night at home against Cincinnati RHP Dan Straily (4-5, 4.34). Fernandez is 24-1 with a 1.48 ERA in his career at Marlins Park.Mets: The series opener Thursday night against Washington features 43-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon (7-4, 2.87 ERA) facing 21-year-old Nationals rookie Lucas Giolito, one of baseballs top pitching prospects. Giolito is set to make his second major league start after throwing four shutout innings of one-hit ball in a rain-shortened debut against the Mets on June 28. ' ' '