England focused despite situation

11-24 September 2007

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WORLD TWENTY20, Durban:
England v India
Match starts at 1700 BST on Wednesday

England's hopes of reaching the last four of the World Twenty20 could be over even before their final Super Eights match against India in Durban.

They need South Africa to lose to New Zealand in the 1300 BST game to stand any chance of reaching the semis.

But England skipper Paul Collingwood says his side still believe they can qualify for the latter stages.

"Mathematically, we can still make it. We know we have to win. We have to win well. You never know," he said.

England are coming off the back of defeats to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

But Collingwood says his side are confident of victory over an India side they recently got the better of in their one-day international series.

He added: "We got to be at our best against India. We know their batsmen and their bowlers pretty well.

"We have the confidence to do it and we are going to give it a good go."

Vikram Solanki looks set to continue as deputy for injured wicket-keeper Matt Prior after impressing in England's five-run defeat to New Zealand.

Solanki took two catches and scored 24 opening the batting with Darren Maddy.

Prior, who has been ruled out for the next three to six weeks with a broken thumb, has been replaced by Durham's Phil Mustard for England's forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka.

India will aim to improve their bowling towards the end of the innings and their middle-order batting after Sunday's defeat by New Zealand.

"Death bowling has been an area of concern, both in England [during the one-day series] and here. New Zealand made almost 80 in the last five overs," said captain Mahendra Dhoni.

"We kept losing wickets. Somebody had to be there throughout the innings around whom the others can play.

"Definitely, we have to work on both those areas."

Source: BBC Sport