Danny Briggs believes confidence is growing in the England camp ahead of their defence of the T20 World Cup.
England spinner Danny Briggs believes confidence is growing in the camp ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Last Updated: 19/09/12 3:58pm
England begin the defence of their World Twenty20 crown against Afghanistan on Friday and will go into the game on the back of morale-boosting victories over Australia and Pakistan.
Stuart Broad's men appear to have adapted to conditions in the sub-continent well and Hampshire spinner Briggs, who has taken four wickets in the lead up to the tournament, is pleased with the way preparations have gone.
"It came out really nicely, which is pleasing and really good in our preparation," said the 21-year-old after claiming 3-15 to help reduce Pakistan to 96-9 on Wednesday.
"It's good to go into a tournament with confidence, and I hope that can carry on. We're definitely playing good cricket at the moment and we've adapted pretty well to the conditions."
England's first-inning total of 111 against Pakistan looked well below-par, even on such an awkward pitch, but Broad's team refused to give up.
"Some of the lads struggled towards the end - it was hard to manoeuvre the ball around," Briggs said of England's innings after they had chosen to bat first.
"But we knew we were always in the game, with any score on the board, and the way we bowled in the second half showed that."
Briggs himself performed with credit too against Australia, even though Michael Hussey ruined his figures in that match by hitting him for three consecutive sixes in his final over.
Asked if he feels in the frame to therefore retain his place when things get serious for England's Group A opener, he said: "I hope so.
"It's come out well in both games, and that's all you can do really."
Briggs operated wicket-to-wicket against Pakistan, at a mostly full length, and was thankful for a new ball which helped him find some spin to go with his expert flight.
"I tried to bowl straight, and make them hit the ball; it's fairly simple, every game you play," he said.
"They're all good players of spin, world-class. It's tough, but you've got to keep things simple."