Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: On the eve of a high-voltage T20 World Cup semifinal against India, England captain Harry Brook has made one thing clear — his side thrives when the pressure is at its peak.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!England’s journey to the last four has been anything but smooth. They scraped through the group stage with gritty wins over Nepal, Scotland and Italy, and endured a heavy defeat to the West Indies. But in the Super Eights, Brook’s men flipped the switch, going unbeaten against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand — the latter requiring a nerve-shredding 43 runs off the final 18 balls.
“We are managing to scrape along in close games and that is the sign of a good side,” Brook told Sky Sports Cricket. “I have learned you are never out of games. I know I have players with a lot of character, a willingness to win, wanting to win a lot, but also that calmness under pressure.”That belief, he insists, is what makes England formidable heading into a semifinal against the hosts. “I want to make it as uncomfortable as possible for the batter coming in at all times,” he added, underlining England’s aggressive mindset.Despite lean returns from white-ball great Jos Buttler and inconsistent outings from Phil Salt, Brook has thrown his weight behind his top order. “I think Jos should be left alone. He is one of the best players to have ever played the game and I can see him coming good,” he said. “We have so many powerful players in the top seven that if one comes off, the opposition are scratching their heads.”Brook also reserved special praise for all-rounder Will Jacks, calling his first proper World Cup “phenomenal”. “He has embraced that position and done exceptionally well. The character he has shown has been awesome.”With India backed by a roaring home crowd, Brook knows the stage will be daunting. “It is going to be loud… a massive occasion with a hell of a lot of pressure for both sides,” he said.But if England’s campaign has proved anything, it is this: write them off at your own peril.
