Stuart Broad has revealed he has consulted a sports psychologist to prepare himself for playing Test cricket in front of empty seats.

England will begin their rearranged three-match #RaiseTheBat series against the West Indies at the Ageas Bowl on July 8.

The coronavirus pandemic not only saw fixtures postponed but means, now they are preparing to return, matches will be played with no supporters inside the grounds.

And, as a player who relishes the heat of battle, Broad feels he needs to be mentally ready to be bowling at the West Indian batting line-up with no crowd behind him.

“My mum said something to me actually, before I left, she said, ‘Take yourself back to being a 12-year-old kid when all you wanted to do was play cricket anywhere you could’.

“Trying to have that mindset that this is just exciting to have the opportunity to play and have some fun, it actually gives you a bit of energy when you think like that.”