By Michael Norwood
September 21 2012

Stuart Broad will lead his England team against Afghanistan in their opening World T20 match in Sri Lanka, as they look to defend their crown that was won in the Caribbean in 2010.....

Whilst most of the talk as been about one certain player now making the tournament, Broad is more than confident his squad, is capable of once again making headlines, and securing the World Twenty20 trophy.

Let's get one thing out of the way first, Kevin Pietersen was the man of the tournament, two years ago, he is also the second highest run scorer in World T20 cricket, but the key point is that he isn't playing, and it is up to the younger members of the squad to step up and put all talk of KP out of the picture.

Talks are still ongoing as to his return to the international scene, but they should not detract from what is still a strong England T20 side, with stacks of experience in this format of the game.

Broad insists that the squad is "buzzing", and is one "of the best I have seen for a long time in the dressing room.". It points to a confident unit ahead of what will be a tough test against the upcoming side that is Afghanistan.

Against India, in their opening T20 match, the Afghanistan team showed enough about them, to prove they are very much on the up, and will at some point, beat one of the higher ranked test playing nations.

They play, no fear cricket, and will no doubt give England a decent work out, but Broad knows that his side will have enough about them to get the tournament, off to an opening win.

Obviously more sterner tests will come in the super eights, indeed even before that, when England face India in the final group game, but Broad knows that whatever target England set, they have proven to have the bowling attack to restrict the opposition.

England did that in the recent T20 series with South Africa at home, and have also shown it, during the warm up game with Pakistan, when they defended just 111 runs from their 20 overs.

On Afghanistan, the England T20 skipper said "They look an exciting side - they certainly don't hold back with the bat and they've got some wicket-takers up top as well."

"It's important that you prepare for Afghanistan as you would for Australia." Broad concluded.

England are next in action on Sunday 23rd September, at 15:00 against India in Colombo.

England set for T20 Defence

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 21/09/2012 13:07

England Cricket
21/09/2012 13:07

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