Broad basks in 'brilliant' day

Cricket365
August 8, 2014

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."