Fit-again England paceman Stuart Broad feels he is hitting his straps just in time for the World Cup.
The 28-year-old made his return to action following a lengthy knee injury, which ruled him out of the pre-Christmas tour of Sri Lanka, during the build-up to the ongoing Tri-Series in Australia.
Having snared six scalps in England’s two warm-up victories, Broad has yet to see his name in the wickets column in the 22.5 overs he has bowled during three matches.
But Broad believes he is getting better and better, targeting further improvements in Friday’s winner-takes-all clash with India at the WACA Ground ahead of a potential final with Australia and then the World Cup.
He said: “My knees feel really good. It was quite a long lay-off, four-and-a-half months without any cricket, so it does take you a bit of time to get up to match speed.
“I’ve enjoyed playing, I’ve played all the games on the tour so far, and I feel like I am getting better and better every ball I bowl.
We chatted to @StuartBroad8 about fitness, form, #triseries & #EngvInd at the WACA earlier. Look out for video soon! pic.twitter.com/mKNhFazzyZ
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) January 28, 2015
“Hopefully I can peak in time for what is our semi-final on Friday and hopefully the final on Sunday.”
On the areas of his game he needs to sharpen up on, Broad said: “I feel like the ball is coming out okay. I have probably bowled a couple of soft boundary balls in a couple of games I have played so far which disappoint me, especially as an experienced bowler.
“But I think the more match sharpness you get, (the more) they cut out of your game. I’m experienced enough to know I always go through little periods where I don’t pick up wickets and then I get a chunk of them. Hopefully it will be my turn at the weekend.”
In order to win the Tri-Series England will need to secure consecutive victories, something they have not achieved in a series since their tour of the West Indies last March.
That is now the target for Broad and Co, ensuring they take momentum into next month’s showpiece.
Broad said: “As a team we are playing some really exciting stuff. We obviously want to put some back-to-back wins together which we are going to have to do to progress at the World Cup.
“But we are getting a lot of the parts of our game fantastically right. We want to make that final on Sunday, starting here against India on Friday.”
The pressure situation England face on Friday, when they know anything but a defeat will set-up a final with Australia in Perth two days later, will stand them in good stead for the World Cup, according to Broad.
“It is always good to get used to playing in knockout-type tournaments, knockout-type games,” the Nottinghamshire player said.
“In county cricket you don’t get that opportunity that often, so it does add a slightly different dimension to the game and it is exciting to watch.
“You know if you make the mistakes it can cost you a place in a final, that is the sort of pressure we want to put ourselves under.”
On the challenge of India, who they dismantled at the Gabba last week, added: “We are hungry, very hungry to keep improving and win games.
Fielding practice under the imposing WACA lights for England in Perth this morning #triseries #CWC15 #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/KUPwWyLQOS
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) January 28, 2015
“We got one over them at Brisbane by probably playing the perfect ODI and they will be desperate to not let that happen again. I think it will be a tough-fought game.
“We know the Indians have shown spirit throughout this tour and they will want to make that final as well.”
While England’s performances in ODI cricket are improving by the game, the standard of their fielding displays have also been on the rise.
Broad said: “One thing no-one can disagree with is that our fielding has been awesome.
“We have saved a lot of runs in the field, taken some great catches and we have worked hard at it.
“We are frying ourselves in this sunshine at the minute making sure that our fielding is top notch for this semi-final, final and World Cup. That is one thing that has been very positive.”