Broad basks in 'brilliant' day
England fast bowler Stuart Broad was delighted to render India's decision to bowl first after winning the toss largely unsuccessful on day one of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.
England fast bowler Stuart Broad was delighted to render India's decision to bowl first after winning the toss largely unsuccessful on day one of the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.
Broad was at the fore of the tourists' capitulation, which slipped from eight for four – and 129 for seven – to 152 all out. He recorded remarkable figures of six for 25 – and was well complemented by fellow right-armer James Anderson's three for 46.
"It was a brilliant day and we're in an extremely strong position, but I must admit I was a little bit disappointed when we lost the toss, just on previous knowledge that Australia got 570-odd batting first here last year, I just assumed it would play like that," said Broad.
"You saw when the sun came out and the blue sky showed its face it got a bit better for batting, so I think we got lucky with the overheads, but we didn't get lucky with the skill we produced. We work very hard on that and we delivered everything we wanted to.
The hosts' response with the bat was not convincing, reaching 113 for three after the relatively early departures of captain Alastair Cook, opener Sam Robson and the left-handed Gary Ballance.
The in-form Ian Bell, however, remained firm on 45 not out. Nightwatchman Chris Jordan, meanwhile, will be eager to justify temporary promotion to fifth in the batting order.
"Overall we've had a fantastic day. Obviously losing Gary in the last over was disappointing but you'd take 39 short with seven wickets in hand. We're hoping for a decent day on Friday," added Broad.
"As I said, the overheads made a big difference today. It felt really noticeable when you were bowling in the sunshine that it didn't quite have that zip."
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.