Confident Stuart Broad is about to embark on what may be the defining stage of his Test career.

Broad on Monday morning issued a joint statement with his fellow fast bowler James Anderson that he will not be joining the 2010 Indian Premier League - because he prizes his England career too highly.

It is a decision he acknowledges he may revise in future years but for now is a statement of intent to cement his international career, with the 2010/11 Ashes and 2011 World Cup obvious priorities.

England bowlers rule out IPL

In the shorter term, Broad has specific goals - first and foremost perhaps, to try to provide England with the Test match balance which used to come from Flintoff.

Two days before the start of a high-profile four-match series against South Africa, the stakes are high - and many will doubt whether Broad, or anyone else, can fill the hole left by Flintoff's injury-enforced Test retirement.

Yet as England grapple with the most likely winning formula - how many specialist batsmen, bowlers or all-rounders - for the first Test at Centurion, Broad will be comfortable with the onus placed on him.

His five first-innings wickets were arguably the most telling contribution to England's Ashes-clinching win at The Oval in his last Test, and that man-of-the-match performance has raised expectations.

Yet the job of potentially becoming a regular Test number seven is set to prove an equally exacting part of Broad's testing brief.

He is undanted by either.

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"Responsibility is something I thrive on as a player," he insists.

"That goes for both batting and bowling, and all formats too. Certainly in the one-dayers, Jimmy (Anderson) and I have been opening the bowling together and have developed extra responsibility."

Yet the absence of Flintoff will pose questions of England's staff on and off the pitch.

Last weekend, Ashley Giles conceded Broad cannot yet be expected to fulfil the Flintoff role - because of his comparative lack of experience - and today South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini spelled out the significance of the Lancastrian's retirement.

"They've lost one of their major players in Freddie Flintoff," Ntini pointed out.

"He was the one who made a huge impact.

"Losing the pillar of the team means we have a better chance - because he was always the guy that intimidated us."

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For Broad, though, it is just another collective challenge for England to meet.

"In Test matches it's up to a few players to stand up, and I think it's good for the side that it's not the same players performing all the time," Broad reflected.

As for his batting role, Broad has already contributed in a handful of chances at number seven.

"Definitely, there would be extra responsibility to score bigger runs," he added.

"But I've done it in three or four Tests so far, and it's a position I do enjoy and will look to do in the future."

As for his decision to rule out IPL possibilities - for the time being at least - Broad added: "There's a busy international calendar, and I'm delighted with the success we've had as a team during the summer - and I want that to continue.

"Obviously playing for my country is a boyhood dream, and I want that to continue.

"That's not to say I won't play in the IPL in the future. It looks very exciting. But this is a decision for 2010, and I'm happy with it."

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It was no easy choice, though.

"It takes a lot of thinking and a lot of talking to family and friends," he said.

"It's just how your body feels. We have four important Tests coming up in the next five weeks and then a tour of Bangladesh.

"It's a decision I've taken to make sure I'm physically and mentally right to play for England."

Meanwhile, England have drafted uncapped off-spinner James Tredwell into their squad as 'like-for-like' cover for Graeme Swann, while the latter continues to recover from his side injury.

Tredwell also joined the one-day international party last month, in the same capacity - although Swann was able to play, and has since taken six wickets in a Test warm-up match in East London.

Coach Andy Flower explained: "Graeme's injury is improving - and we expect him to be available for the first Test, starting on Wednesday.

"But with a further three matches to come after Centurion, we have decided that we need a 'like-for-like' replacement on hand for Graeme should this be required later in the tour."