Broad ready to bowl Australia over
August 24, 2010 11:21:11 UK
Stuart Broad insists that the challenge of taking wickets in Australia in this winter's Ashes holds no fear for England's attack.
Broad has so far taken 11 Pakistan wickets in the three Tests matches played so far, in conditions that are ideal for exponents of traditional English seam and swing.
James Anderson has been more prolific, taking 20 wickets so far.
The fourth Test gets underway on Thursday with England 1.80 to get the win and seal the series 3-1, while Pakistan can be backed to level the series at 6.00 and the draw is 2.87.
It was more of a struggle for England's bowlers in their four-wicket defeat at the Oval last week, and Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes that Broad and co may be in for a tough time as they bid to retain the Ashes down under next winter.
Yet Broad believes he and his colleagues have the talent and adaptability to prove Butt wrong.
"We have no fear going to Australia, and we certainly have the skills necessary to go and win the Ashes over there," he predicted.
"We are very confident in our attack. We have bowled fantastically well this summer, in the conditions we've had.
"We have bowled Pakistan out very cheaply in all but one innings."
Broad also see's thing very differently from Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who believes that another 5-0 whitewash may be in the offing for England.
"We are all very confident in what we do," said the Notts seamer.
"We have the best spinner in the world in Graeme Swann, and some very skilful seamers too.
"Everyone will have an opinion on the Ashes, because it is such a huge series. But what opposition players and opposition captains say has no impact on us and what we are going to do.
"We have great confidence in our ability - just look at our record over the last 18 months."
Australia are fancied at 1213.00 to win the Ashes Series 2010/11, while England can be backed at 1.25 and it is 3.75 that the series is drawn.
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