T20 World Cup 2024: Stuart Broad analyses England’s chances in Super Eights

England were on the verge of elimination from the ongoing T20 World Cup, but back-to-back wins against Oman and Namibia changed their fortune, as the Jos Buttler-led side eventually qualified on Net Run Rate (NRR). Despite so, there’s a sense of optimism in the air as former cricketer Stuart Broad believes that the team can go all the win and lift the coveted trophy once again.

England will play West Indies, South Africa and USA in the Super Eight. Ahead of that, Broad analysed the conditions in West Indies and mentioned that because of the wind flow, one side of the boundary can be protected. He also liked the idea of introducing Reece Topley into the playing XI as the pacer can attack the angle and cut down one side.

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“When I look at Antigua and Barbados, windy cricket grounds, generally a side wind. It means you can protect one side. You can get the right-hander hitting into the wind to the longer boundary. You can bowl slower into the pitch so they can only bowl that way,” said Broad, speaking as he launched the Small Business XI with Sage.

“I like the addition of Reece Topley into the team, to give you that angle of attack that you can chuck down one side. But there is a weakness in the left/right-hand combinations of the batting unit. It’s just Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, Ben Duckett isn’t playing. As we saw against Australia when there was a short boundary one side, Adam Zampa could shut it down to the right-handers, bowling leg spin. The right-handers were hitting into the wind to the bigger boundary. That is an issue,” the 37-year-old added.

Broad keeps England, India and South Africa over others

Broad mentioned England, South Africa and India to be the most dangerous teams in the ongoing tournament. The Nottingham-born cricketer however clarified that there are a lot of teams that can trouble others in the competition but keep those three teams ahead in the race.

“You need two players to have a good day and you can win the game. If someone gets 110 off 50 balls, you are probably winning. So that is what makes it really difficult to predict. England definitely have those two players, India certainly do. South Africa do, they have a pretty star-studded line-up. There are a lot of teams that you feel could threaten and England are certainly one of them,” the former cricketer said.