MANCHESTER: England Twenty20 skipper Stuart Broad reckoned that taking wickets was the key to his side’s six-wicket win over India in the one-off Twenty20 international.
“Taking wickets is the best way to stop scoring rates. We didn’t hit our length in the first 10 overs but the way we came back and bowled them out showed the character and skill of our bowlers,” said Broad yesterday.
India were 104 for one in the 13th over but then fell apart to be all out for 165 in the final over.
“We didn’t start well but the way we bowled in the final 10 overs was brilliant. We decided taking wickets was the positive option. It kept the pressure on new batters. It showed the value of picking wickets even in limited overs game.
“We didn’t hit our length, bowl our best ball and gave too many four-balls. But their batsmen also came out with intent to hit the ball. There was no margin of error as the ball skidded on in early overs. You needed to be really spot on with deliveries and that showed as both sides made good scores in the first six overs.
“Thereafter it became harder to score. We wanted to slow down after India went to a flyer.”
Broad also had words of praise for Eoin Morgan who stabilised the innings in the middle overs with a quick-fire 49.
“Morgan really batted well and showed how critical he is in our line-up…We lost an early wicket but Kevin and Keiswetter were brilliant in getting us almost to 60 from the powerplays. Once we limited them to 165, we were confident of chasing it down.” (PTI)