Make a ton and series is ours to lose, insists six-wicket Broad
SIX-WICKET hero Stuart Broad believes England are just a century away from establishing an unassailable series lead after dominating day one of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford yesterday.
England made a mockery of losing the toss, reducing India to 8-4 under favourable overhead conditions before routing the tourists for just 152, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading a temporary revival with 71 as Ravi Ashwin added a brisk 40.
Right-arm seamer Broad was the standout bowler with 6-25 as James Anderson claimed three wickets on his home ground, laying the foundations for England to reach 113-3 at the close, as Ian Bell finished 45 not out.
Broad will have an operation on his right knee after the final Test at the Oval to cure a long-standing tendonitis problem but hopes to be fit again for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
But on a day when the 28-year-old hit his straps with the ball, Broad was keen to point to the pack mentality and the contribution of all of England’s frontline bowlers.
“If one batsman gets a hundred we put ourselves in a winning position,” said Broad.
“Ian Bell proved that if you leave well and play positively runs can be made on this pitch. That will give our batting unit encouragement as there are runs to be had.
“It’s obviously nice to get six wickets myself but it was the all-round pressure from the whole bowling unit which got me the wickets.
“We created pressure from both ends and 10 team wickets in a day is a fantastic effort.”
Broad and Anderson wreaked havoc during the Indian innings, with a record-equalling six batsmen in a singe Test returning to the pavilion having registered ducks.
In the process, Broad moved to 261 Test scalps and assumed sixth position in England’s all-time list of leading wicket-takers, moving ahead of former team-mate Graeme Swann.
After such a powerful start to the fourth Test, a far cry from the heavy defeat suffered at Lord’s which extended England’s winless run to 10 matches, Broad is adamant a repeat showing of yesterday will put the hosts firmly in the ascendency.
“It’s nice to get ahead of Swanny although he got his wickets in considerably less Test matches,” added Broad. “It’s good to move up to sixth and hopefully I’ve got a bit of cricket left in me yet.
“Overall we had a fantastic day and we’re hoping for a decent day again. As I say, if one batsman gets a hundred it puts us in a fantastic position.”