Broad embraces pressure of India showdown

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Stuart Broad is not expecting a repeat of England's crushing victory over India in Brisbane when the two sides meet in Friday's make-or-break tri-series game in Perth.

England thrashed India by nine wickets earlier in the tournament after bowling MS Dhoni's side out for only 153 and reaching their victory target with more than 20 overs to spare.

Steven Finn (5-33) and James Anderson (4-18) did the damage with the ball, before Ian Bell (88 not out) and James Taylor (56no) sealed England's first win of the tournament.

Eoin Morgan's side looked set to follow that up with a win against Australia last Friday, when the in-form Bell crafted a sublime century in a daunting total of 303-8 but stand-in skipper Steven Smith made an unbeaten 102 as the hosts secured their place in the final.

India's attempt at their first victory of the tournament was thwarted by the rain in Sydney on Monday after they had reached 69-2 from 16 overs against Australia.

England and India head into the sixth game of the tri-series at the WACA knowing a victory will see them through to the final at the same venue on Sunday and pace bowler Broad is expecting a different test altogether this time around.

He told the ECB's official website: "As a team we are playing some really exciting stuff. We obviously want to put some back-to-back wins together which we are going to have to do to progress at the World Cup.  

"But we are getting a lot of the parts of our game fantastically right. We want to make that final on Sunday, starting here against India on Friday."

The Nottinghamshire quick added: "It is always good to get used to playing in knockout-type tournaments, knockout-type games.

"In county cricket you don't get that opportunity that often, so it does add a slightly different dimension to the game and it is exciting to watch.

"You know if you make the mistakes it can cost you a place in a final, that is the sort of pressure we want to put ourselves under."

Broad has not yet taken a wicket in the series as he strives to rediscover his form following a long-term absence due to a knee operation, but hopes to produce the goods when it matters most.

He said: "My knees feel really good. It was quite a long lay-off, four-and-a-half months without any cricket, so it does take you a bit of time to get up to match speed.

"I've enjoyed playing, I've played all the games on the tour so far, and I feel like I am getting better and better every ball I bowl. 

"Hopefully I can peak in time for what is our semi-final on Friday and hopefully the final on Sunday."

India must decide whether to keep faith with out-of-sorts opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who has made only 11 runs in three tri- series innings.

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