Bopara joy at England win

England's heroes celebrate unlikely victory

Last updated: 30th August 2007

stuart broad ravi bopara

Bopara: Match-winner

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England all-rounder Ravi Bopara admitted he was 'desperate' to play a match-winning innings at Old Trafford.

The Essex player put on 99 with Stuart Broad to rescue England from near certain defeat and lead them to an unlikely victory over India and a 3-1 lead in the NatWest series.

Bopara made 43 and Broad an unbeaten 45 as England recovered from 114-7 to move beyond India's 212 all out.

He told Sky Sports: "I was desperate to finish it this time.

"I've been in this situation before (during the World Cup) in the West Indies

and that gave me a head start.

Impatient

"We didn't need nine and over or anything, we needed three or four all along

and we said 'Let's knock it down in 10s'

"To be fair I couldn't wait for it to be over.

"When the spinners were bowling I thought 'I could take them on here, hit it

over the top' but I hadn't done that the whole innings and it paid off."

England captain Paul Collingwood revealed his delight at the young duo's

performance and praised his side's resilience under pressure.

Collingwood said: "It was an amazing game. Sometimes these low scoring games are the best ones to watch and for the boys to go down there when we were seven down and get the runs is a fantastic effort.

"I think sometimes we may be put through these situations along the way; today has certainly been one of them and we came through with flying colours.

"We're disappointed the way we went out there first 25 overs losing seven

wickets, to win games in those situations under that sort of pressure is a

massive plus for England."

Man of the match Broad paid tribute to Bopara for his support in their

match-winning partnership.

"We were in a difficult position. We bowled nicely and kept them to a decent

score but I thought Ravi batted superbly and kept me going and it was great to

hit the winning runs," said Broad, who claimed four wickets.

Broad was watched by father Chris, a former England opener.

"He will have been chewing his nails - he always says he gets more nervous

watching than playing," he added on Sky Sports.