The Broom we know is so much more accomplished than his international record suggests.
He played 22 ODIs in 2009 and 2010 for a modest haul of 333 runs at an average of 17.52. In nine twenty20 internationals he netted just 61 runs at 15.25.
It does not make very compelling reading if you are a selector, but the statistics only tell part of the story.
Broom has enjoyed a lot of success at first-class level (4135 runs at 43.07) and in coloured clothing for Otago since transferring south from Canterbury in 2005-06.
In fact, if New Zealand continues to ignore his skills, he may eventually overtake Craig Cumming (6589 runs at 43.34) as the province's leading first-class scorer and perhaps even close in on Cumming's Otago record of 21 hundreds - he has 12 so far.
The key, for Broom, has always been about getting himself established at the crease. Like most batsmen, he needs time to get set.
You do not often get that luxury at international level and Broom had plenty of opportunities to cement a spot in the national line-up. But you have to wonder if the Black Caps gave him the best chance to succeed.
Broom had always batted in the middle order for Otago and had time to build an innings. For the Black Caps he batted mostly at No 6 and sometimes as low as No 7 when then captain Daniel Vettori decided to elevate himself in the order.
Broom found himself in an unfamiliar role of having to force the pace immediately, rather than easing himself into his innings.
Perhaps if he had batted a little higher, he might have been able to reproduce his domestic form at the top level. It also did not make a lot of sense to pick a player because of one set of attributes and then ask him to play differently.
We all saw what he is capable of achieving during the Champions League in India last month, when he smote 117 from 56 deliveries against the Perth Scorchers.
Buoyed by his success, he has been convinced to open for Otago in all three formats this year. And he had to be convinced. Initially, Broom had some reservations but he is hoping the move will resuscitate his international career.
''I was concerned that I had fashioned a reasonable record in the middle order for Otago,'' Broom said.
''But after looking at it and sitting down and having a chat with some people, I changed my mind.
''I'd been batting at four and No 5 for 10 years and had not really succeeded [in making the Black Caps] so decided to set myself a new challenge and try and make it as an opener.
''There is a lot to learn. It is like I'm starting out again.
''There are a lot of good openers around, including Aaron Redmond who had a hell of a season last summer. So there are a lot of guys I'm behind. It will be a struggle to get myself up there.''
The other big development for Broom during the offseason was getting laser surgery on his eyes. He no longer needs to wear contact lens.
''I was second-guessing and wondering whether I had the right contacts in. But now my eyes are all done, I'm seeing the ball a lot better than I was during the last couple of years.
''My ball striking had sort of dropped away and I didn't know why until I got my eyes [examined] and thought it might be one of the factors. I suppose I lost a couple of my favourite shots, which will hopefully come back this season.''
Otago opens its Plunket Shield campaign against Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.
The Volts have not won the first-class competition since 1987-88 but went close last summer. Chasing a modest 200 for victory against Wellington, Otago stumbled and was bowled out for 145.
''We did get so close and we sort of let it slip there during the last day. I've never tasted success in four-day cricket.
"To win it would be good and I think we've got the side to win all three formats and be the first one to do it.''
