Stuart Broad eager to 'make use of every game'

There may be seven months yet before the competition is in full swing in Sri Lanka. But for England captain Broad, set to take charge at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today in the first of three Twenty20s against Pakistan, it is match time that is in limited supply.

Just these three fixtures over the next five days, then four next summer - against West Indies and then South Africa - remain before England must fly to Sri Lanka.

A shoulder injury has also prevented Broad, appointed only at the start of last summer, from leading his country in their last three Twenty20s. "We need to make use of every game we have, because there aren't that many leading to the 'World Cup,"' he said.

"Obviously, with that being in the sub-Continent, we need to really make use of these conditions here in Dubai - because we won't have any sub-Continent Twenty20 cricket until the warm-up games for the 'World Cup'.

"It makes these games pretty important, from a learning perspective.

"But we're not looking at these as warm-ups for the 'World Cup'; we're looking to win this series, and that's what we'll be focusing on."

The objective then is to succeed here, not only to finish England's mixed tour on a high, but in order to aid those preparations for September.

"It's a challenge," said Broad. "If you look back at our last (ICC World) Twenty20 victory, I remember we lost to the (England) Lions out here - five or six weeks before that tournament - then went to it and got on a roll once we were there.
"That's the key to Twenty20 cricket, the momentum leading into it.

"When you arrive at a 'World Cup', you make sure you get your preparation exactly spot on and you build momentum throughout the tournament. That's what we did in that tournament.

"Then from that, we had a very clear plan and we went on what I think was a world-record winning streak.

"In the 'World Cup' tournament itself, it's going to be hugely important to start right and to get into a groove straightaway.

"But it's important we make use of every opportunity together as a group, because we're not blessed with a huge amount of Twenty20 cricket in the schedule."

Broad is out to make the most of this run of three matches, an unusual occurrence and in place specifically because this is a World Twenty20 year.

"It's an exciting opportunity and it's the first chance we've had to have three games on the bounce, where we can really learn and develop in - and obviously look to win," he said.