Stuart Broad raring to go at the World Cup after regaining full fitness
England fast bowler, Stuart Broad, has stated that he is raring to go at the ICC 2011 World Cup after regaining full fitness before the start of the most eagerly awaited cricket tournament in the One Day International (ODI) format.
Broad sustained a muscular injury during the second Test of the Ashes series against Australia last year. He was ruled out of the remainder of the series and also sat out the seven-match ODI contest, which the tourists lost by a whopping
1-6 margin.
England is set to play its group games in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 and South Africa if they are to top their group.
On the other hand, wins over minnows like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753, and, one favourable result against any of the top ranked teams would guarantee a berth in the quarterfinals for the three times finalists.
Broad is eager to play a leading role for his team and give them their second world title after they won the T20 World Championships in the West Indies last year.
"I'm 100% fit now and excited about the chances of playing in a World Cup", Broad said. "It's been a while since I've been on a field. I've been in the gym and in the nets but I'm excited about that competitive edge you get on the
pitch and excited about our chances as well".
The English team has had a good run outside the loss to their greatest rivals. They recorded series wins over three major opponents including http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 ensured that they captured
all three ODI series at home.
The loss in Australia was due to a series of lacklustre batting efforts by the tourists and that cost them a clean record ahead of the World Cup.
Broad thinks that the team has gelled very well under the astute leadership of Andre Strauss and perhaps the loss to the Aussies would give the team the kick in the backside that is at times important before a big assignment like the
World Cup.
Another thing that works in their favour is the easy format of the tournament, which has more or less guaranteed all top ranked teams a spot in the knock-out stage.
"We've been in really good ODI form over the past two years, this was our first series defeat since Australia 2009 so we know we're a talented ODI team".
While Broad has regained his fitness, the POMS have been hit hard by an injury to their leading ODI batsman, Eoin Morgan, who is set to miss the World Cup after fracturing his finger during the limited overs series against Australia.
He has been a stellar performer for his team in the ODI format. The key to his performance has been his inventive and nerveless batting that has underpinned a strong batting line-up.
The contribution of the Irishman in the games that England have won speak for themselves, he has a mighty average of 59.66 in the wins compared to 24.90 when they lose.
In his absence England would be banking on Luke Wright to play the role of a finisher along with the out of form Paul Collingwood, who has to take up the role despite a woeful run in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 where he announced his retirement from
the Test format in a bid to resurrect his ODI and T20 career.
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