T20 World Cup: England captain Harry Brook tells team to be brave during Super 8s, starting against Sri Lanka on Sunday | CricketNews

The T20 World Cup begins now for England.

That is the message from captain Harry Brook as his aspect start their Super 8s marketing campaign against Sri Lanka on Sunday (reside on sky sports activities from 9.30am) after a scratchy opening spherical during which they misplaced to West Indies and had been pushed exhausting by three Associate nations.

England wanted a clutch final over from Sam Curran of their opening sport to beat Nepal by 4 runs, whereas they regarded in peril of a shock defeat to debutants Italy of their closing group fixture – one which might possible have seen them eradicated – earlier than rallying.

In between, they succumbed against West Indies and made heavy climate of beating Scotland, however the full focus now could be on reaching the knockouts, with the match versus Sri Lanka in Pallekele adopted by conferences with Pakistan on the similar venue on Tuesday after which New Zealand in Colombo subsequent Friday.

Assessing England up to now, former all-rounder Moeen Ali instructed sky sports activities: “I really feel they’ve been a bit tentative, with bat and ball, however typically it’s tough to get out of a gaggle when you do not know a lot about groups like Nepal and Italy.

“When you give these groups a sniff, that is after they grow to be harmful. As a participant, you are feeling a little bit of stress then.

“But England are through now and there will be a bit of relief. I think they will be feeling much better now, more at ease.”

England trying to prolong T20 success versus Sri Lanka

England swept Sri Lanka 3-0 during a pre-T20 World Cup collection in Pallekele and are at present on an 11-match successful streak against their weekend opponents within the format – Sri Lanka final beat England in a T20 worldwide at The Kia Oval in 2014.

However, after almost being burned within the opening spherical, Brook is taking nothing as a given, particularly a Sri Lanka aspect that thumped Australia by eight wickets final Monday as Pathum Nissanka slammed a 52-ball century that includes 10 fours and 5 sixes.

Nissanka then clubbed 62 from 41 balls within the defeat to Zimbabwe.

The England skipper mentioned: “It was obviously a niggly start to the competition. We probably underestimated a few of the sides and they put up a really good fight. Luckily we got through and we see it as new competition now. A fresh start.

“I’ve realized you’ll be able to’t take any team without any consideration. Sri Lanka are a powerful aspect with loads of confidence after a number of excellent wins.

“Some of their batters are batting really well and Nissanka is on a bit of a heater, so it would be ideal if we can get him out early. But if we play our best cricket there is no reason we can’t beat them.

Winning tight video games exhibits the assumption and unity that now we have. We’ve managed to discover ourselves in sticky conditions and acquired out of them with some distinctive performances from lads decrease down the order.

“We can take a lot of confidence having played here and experienced this surface and this ground. Hopefully we use that experience.

“I believe now we have been too cautious at instances. We can look to put groups underneath stress, particularly with the batting depth now we have acquired.

“It’s about having confidence in the people behind you. We can be a bit brave in certain situations.”

Bethell unlikely to bowl for England – and can Buttler shine?

Speaking after England’s 24-run victory over Italy, Sky Sports’ Nick Knight mentioned the transfer again to Sri Lanka – Brook’s aspect performed all of their first-round matches in India, with two in Kolkata and two in Mumbai – would profit the two-time T20 World Cup champions.

Jofra has so many variations however you do not have to use them on a regular basis. Against Nepal, I felt he was bowling so many slower balls. As a batter, you need that moderately than him bowling quick at you. I believe he’s bowling too many variations – however he has it in him to take wickets when England actually need them.

Knight mentioned: “It is a godsend as I don’t think their attack suits Indian conditions. The spinners can come into it more now, get a bit of grip, and extend a bowling attack that relies so heavily on Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer.

“I do know they may have to return to India for the semis and closing in the event that they get there however for now they may get some confidence.”

All-rounder Jacob Bethell took 4-11 with his left-arm spin as England won a low-scoring series finale against Sri Lanka earlier this month but has not bowled in the World Cup yet because of a cut finger and appears unlikely to turn his arm over on Sunday.

Batting-wise, England will hope Jos Buttler can rediscover his kind with the opener making scores of 26, 21, three and thee on the World Cup up to now. He has not hit a world fifty since September.

Moee added: “Jos might be feeling he is letting the team down.

“I mentioned to him during the last couple of days ‘if you end up at your finest you play the state of affairs’. I believe he wants to return to {that a} bit extra and take the concern off his shoulders.”

Buttler has vowed not to rein himself in and Brook – who Moeen feels should come in higher than No 5 – wants his team to be aggressive, too. England’s tournament, as the skipper said, starts now – provided the forecast rain on Sunday does not prove terminal.

England’s T20 World Cup Super 8s fixtures

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports Cricket

• vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele) – Sunday February 22 (9.30am)
• vs Pakistan (Pallekele) – Tuesday February 24 (1.30pm)
• vs New Zealand (Colombo) – Friday February 27 (1.30pm)

Watch every game from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports Cricket, including the final competition on Sunday March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.