Gros Islet (St Lucia), May 12: England’s new-found consistency will be pitted against Sri Lankan flair when the two teams clash in the first semifinal of the Twenty20 World Cup here on Thursday.
England’s display in the tournament has been a revelation with Paul Collingwood and his men winning all three Super Eight stage matches with consummate ease.
With maverick top order batsman Kevin Pietersen returning to the ranks after a brief break for the birth of his first child, England’s batting order has a formidable look about it.
Pietersen has been in sensational form but even without him, England hardly broke a sweat as they upended New Zealand to prove that they don’t rely on an individual or two to see them through.
In Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb, England have an opening pair that scores at a brisk rate and with Pietersen, set to return at Ravi Bopara’s expense, and Collingwood to follow, their line-up is quite strong.
— PTI