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IPL experience helped us against Australia, says Bravo
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo on Sunday credited their experience of playing in the Indian Premier League for their stupendous victory over Australia, saying it has helped them to learn to cope with pressure situations in big games.
Bravo had scored an unbeaten 27 off only 12 balls as West Indies chased down 179 against the Aussies but his contribution was overshadowed by Darren Sammy's last-over sixes off James Faulkner.
"The situation was like 21 balls to go and 53 to get. It's actually achievable because of the experience we have got in IPL. Sammy's IPL experience also came into play and he can withstand pressure," Bravo said.
"We knew their bowlers will also be under pressure because one side of the ground is very short and in those kinds of scenarios, we expect the bowler to make mistakes as we had a lot of wickets in hand," he added
Bravo was all praise for his skipper Sammy for his ability to come up with the big hits at crucial times.
"Sammy is one of the cleanest hitters in the game today. My job at that time was to just run between the wickets and give him as much strike as possible and to just calm him down. All in all it worked for us. I hope we don’t have to depend on him so much," Bravo said with a smile.
Bravo said playing in T20 leagues like IPL and Big Bash has improved relations between international cricketers from different nationalities.
"Thanks to IPL, it allows that. It's a good thing for international cricketers. Apart from money, it also brings you closer to another cricketer from another country and become friends."
"At the hotel, we see each other, meet each other and have a quick chat. We may not be best of friends or go out for dinner but we play together for the Big Bash and the IPL and some of them come and play in the Caribbean Premier League too. With all these leagues in the world, you end up developing a better relationship. Look at the India-West Indies games, the relationship is like of love and it’s like
one country playing," Bravo said.
WT20 snapshots: Broad may quit captaincy after England's failure
England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad has said that he does not know if he will 'carry on' following their defeat against South Africa, which has sent his side out of the World T20 tournament.
Broad said that he is not 100 percent sure if he will carry on because there will be a decision made on the coaching staff and he is going to be unavailable for some of the summer as he needs a period of eight weeks rehabilitation due to his knee injury.
According to the Daily Express, Broad feels that this early exit from the World T20 following their three run loss to South Africa, has drawn a line under what has been a miserable winter for England.
However, Broad said that it would be a new era of English cricket in May, as changes in England's team is expected with Ashley Giles to be confirmed as the new coach for the team in two weeks time and Eoin Morgan likely to replace Broad as captain in the shortest format.
Broad said that they have a fantastic opportunity this summer adding that change is exciting from time to time and it would exciting to be involved.