• Eng v WI, World T20 2012, Super Eights, Pallekele

Broad: Early wickets cost England

ESPN staff
September 28, 2012
Stuart Broad admits England need to improve © PA Photos
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Stuart Broad admits England must stop losing early wickets if they are to have a chance of defending their World Twenty20 title.

Eoin Morgan's heroic 71 was in vain as England were beaten by 15 runs in their Super Eights opener against West Indies on Thursday after Craig Kieswetter and Luke Wright both fell in the opening over in pursuit of 180.

It came after England were hammered by 90 runs their final group game against India, and Broad admits the top order must tighten up if they are to reach the semi-finals.

"It's disappointing to lose early wickets," Broad said. "It's hurt us twice now and we need to stop it.

"Our principle is that we allow ourselves time to have a look for a couple of overs, assess the wicket and then take our strong options and utilise our strengths. We lost two soft wickets early on today and it didn't help us.

"It showed what an awesome batting wicket that was, to get as close as we did having to regroup as much as we had to. There are a lot of positives to take out of it from the bowling side of things - the way we regrouped after they got off to a good start and keep them to a total which I thought was below par.

"I feel deflated because I thought the total was chaseable and we didn't get it quite right."

Broad now turns his attentions to England's remaining Super Eights clashes against New Zealand on Saturday and Sri Lanka on Monday: "It's a must-win against New Zealand - we have to win both of our matches now," he added.

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