Stuart Broad said he had no regrets about missing out on the Indian Premier League (IPL) after helping bowl England into the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
Stuart Broad said he had no regrets about missing out on the Indian Premier League (IPL) after helping bowl England into the final of the ICC World Twenty20.
The 23-year-old pace bowling all-rounder took two wickets for 21 runs as England thrashed Sri Lanka, last year's losing finalists, by seven wickets in a one-sided semi-final at the Beausejour Stadium yesterday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Broad, one of the stars of England's 2009 Ashes series win over Australia, could have played in the IPL that attracts some of world cricket's leading players. But he decided his body needed a break after England's (northern) winter tour programme.
"I am sure it would have. It would have been fantastic to learn some more skills in different conditions. But at the time my body needed a bit of a break after a tough winter in South Africa and Bangladesh and I feel fresh."
Broad and Ryan Sidebottom both showed considerable nerved in repeatedly deploying the slow bouncer, a delivery a batsman might easily turn into a long-hop, to good effect against Sri Lanka. "The batsmen tell us they've found it difficult on certain wickets.u00a0
We just thought that the slower the ball, with these big boundaries, the harder it would be to hit," added Broad, the son of former England opening batsman and current International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris.
"My personal theory was to try to bowl as slow as I possibly could and try to make the batsmen put all the pace on the ball to clear the ropes. It's a lot of practice in the nets. What I try to do is mix it up with a decent-paced ball as well."
England have never won a major limited overs tournament and their last experience of a final was at the 2004 Champions Trophy, when they lost to WI at the Oval.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
