London, June 11(ANI): England fast bowler Stuart Broad has said that he spent his time out of the national team on working on his fitness, and announced that he is now prepared for the Ashes and the World Cup.

Broad, who was dropped for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, was named in the 13-man ODI squad to play England in a five-match series.

“I’ve spent the last few weeks at Loughborough getting a serious beasting in the gym — it’s been knackering, but I feel stronger and have put on about a kilogram of muscle. This isn’t a short-term thing, this is so I am still going strong by the end of the Ashes in January and through to the World Cup,” The Sun quoted Broad, as saying.

“By being dropped for that reason, I at least have the confidence that I”m in the long-term plans,” he added.

The 23-year-old said that he was unhappy with the selectors’ decision to drop him for the Bangladesh Test series.

“It was a hard phone call to take when the selectors told me. They gave their reasons and were adamant it wasn”t form. So if I”m taking wickets during an Ashes win in Australia and the World Cup, it will have been worth it,” Broad said.

He further insisted that the current England one-day side is different from the one that lost 6-1 to Australia last summer.

“These five games against Australia this summer are important — it”s crucial we continue the momentum we”ve built up in one-day cricket. Now we back ourselves and each other to play fearless cricket. We look a different team and that”s why we won the World Twenty20,” Broad said.

“We want to keep beating Australia. We have the Ashes and won that Twenty20 final — it”s hugely important we keep getting these little things over them,” he added. (ANI)