Ashley Giles has told his England side India will "walk all over" them if they do not improve quickly.
Giles enjoyed a dream start to his new role as England’s limited-overs coach, with the tourists defying the odds to secure victory in the first one-day international in Rajkot earlier this month.u00a0But things have veered off track in a big way since then, with two resounding defeats in succession putting the home side firmly in control with two matches to go in the Airtel Series.
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Stuart Broad
Giles pulled no punches in his assessment of the last two matches, but is clear about the need to look forward and ensure the same mistakes are not repeated.
“The guys all felt pretty low last night because we got a good hiding at the hands of the Indians,” he said.u00a0“It’s a concern because it has happened twice in a row now.u00a0“Ultimately we’re not going to win too many games of cricket with 150, that’s pretty plain.u00a0“It can affect confidence, definitely. You feel knocked and everyone in the dressing room is disappointed, but we have to bounce back.
“There’s no point in moping or dragging yourself around for a couple of days. The next game is on Wednesday and the one thing we have to be is up for it. If we take a backwards step now the Indians will walk all over us. It’s important we are up for the fight.” Whether all of those who went down in Ranchi will have the chance to make amends is another matter.
One player who will not come under consideration is seamer Stuart Broad.u00a0The 26-year-old has had to shelve plans to join the squad after snow ruined his travel plans. The seam bowler, who has been recovering from a heel injury, was scheduled to meet up with his teammates in Chandigarh.
But Broad, who has not played competitively since the second Test in Mumbai in November, was left grounded in the UK due to the extensive cancellations and delays at Heathrow.u00a0Broad, who has been bowling at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough, will now join up in New Zealand, on the next leg of the side’s winter travels.
Giles admitted the delay was a disappointment, but believes there is still plenty of time to get Broad ready before the first Twenty20 in Auckland on February 9.
“Stuart is not coming to India now,” confirmed Giles.u00a0“He got snowed in at Heathrow and I think his bags went missing as well, so he is going to join us out in New Zealand. It’s not ideal because we were hoping for him to come out here and, whether or not he played in one of the last two games, just do some prep for New Zealand.
“But we have a bit of time in New Zealand and he’ll meet us there. It can’t be helped; you can’t do much about snow.”
— PA Sport
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