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Varied experience will help England - Root

Leading England batsman Joe Root says his side's experience makes them all the better prepared for their World Twenty20 final against West Indies.

Former champions England are carrying confidence from overcoming different challenges during the World Twenty20 as they gear up to face the West Indies in Sunday's final, leading batsman Joe Root says.

"We've found ways of winning games of cricket, which is really important," Root said on Friday ahead of a practice session at the Eden Gardens.

"We found ourselves in a number of different situations that we have overcome. It means that whatever happens, we would have been in that situation before. We have experience to go back upon - ways that we have been successful."

England, looking for a second title to add to their 2010 victory, lost to the West Indies by six wickets in their opening Super 10 game in Mumbai before turning things around with a 230-run chase against South Africa.

On a slower pitch in New Delhi, England won close games batting first against defending champions Sri Lanka and Afghanistan before an impressive seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the first semifinal.

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Root said there had been no conscious change in the way they played after the initial setback against West Indies.

"We stayed true to what we believed in as a side and how we want to play our cricket. Everyone's contributed in some way, shape or form, which is always nice going into a final.",

Root, with 195 runs, is England's top scorer in the tournament, while Jason Roy (183) and Jos Buttler (155) have also been among the runs.

England's bowling unit has also been effective, with pace bowlers Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes taking charge in the end overs with finesse.

"The way we've bowled at the death has been outstanding," Root said.

"It's about making sure everyone is doing what he does in practice. Every game has been rocking for us (in the tournament), so hopefully it will be the same (in the final)."

Asked if it was better to face the West Indies rather than pre-tournament favourite India on home soil, Root said the opposition didn't matter.

"If you are going to win the World Cup, you have to be the best throughout the tournament," he added.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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