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Bracey reflects on impressive intra-squad knock

2 July 2020

James Bracey, who top scored on day one of the intra-squad match with 85, reflects on his first knock with the full England team.

“I’m delighted with how I played. It was a great opportunity to get out there against the new ball and show the selectors what I’ve got. I haven’t opened the batting a huge amount in the last couple of years, so a lot of people wouldn’t have seen me play that role before.

“It was really nice to repay some faith and show them I’ve got the capability to do that job.”

The first half-century if the summer for anyone in an England shirt was almost followed up by the first century, but James is still very happy nonetheless.

“Being close to a hundred always creeps into your brain but I don’t think it had too much of an effect. It would have been really nice to go on and get three figures but if you had said to me that I would put up 85 and set up a good stand I’d of been very happy with myself so I’m trying to look on the positive side of things.”

Opening the batting after such a long time away from competitive cricket would be difficult for any batsman but James feels as though the net sessions with the England bowlers was more than sufficient.

“We’ve had some really challenging net sessions in the last week or so and that’s put us batters in a very good place especially mentally.

“The standard of bowling has been brilliant and the lads are getting up to full speed quickly so they’re really keeping us on our toes which has made for a good week’s preparation.”

Such an impressive knock may lead to certain expectations but James is not allowing himself to get think too far ahead.

“I hope there are more opportunities for me later in the match. I hope my performance yesterday will help my cause but obviously there is a lot of competition.

“Dan Lawrence and Joe Denly got in and got some runs as well so I’m not getting ahead of myself but it would be nice to be included again at some point, I’ll just keep working hard for that opportunity.”

The intra-squad match between Team Stokes and Team Buttler continues today and can be watched on the ECB website.

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