England captain Stuart Broad said he was excited to be leading the defending champions at next week's World Twenty20, despite the absence of star batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen has been kept out of the squad for disciplinary reasons since the second Test against South Africa last month. “The 15 guys that are here are very excited to represent England in a world tournament,” Broad told reporters on the team’s arrival for the 12-nation tournament.
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“I am extremely proud to lead those guys into play. It’s a great challenge for all of us. Not many guys have played in an ICC (International Cricket Council) tournament.
“But eight of us were involved when we won the World T20 last time. I have full faith in the side I have got.”
England go into the tournament with their confidence boosted by a 28-run win over South Africa in a Twenty20 game in Birmingham on Wednesday that helped them draw the series 1-1.
Broad said the key to doing well rested on how quickly they adjusted to the conditions in Sri Lanka. “We have to adapt very quickly,” he said.