Their semifinal chances hanging by the thread, defending champions England are faced with a must-win situation as they take on unbeaten hosts Sri Lanka in a crucial Super Eight match of the ICC World Twenty20 here tomorrow.
England, after a win and a loss, have to clinch it against Sri lanka to have any chance of making the last-four stage. If Stuart Broad’s men lose tomorrow, it would be certain elimination as Sri Lanka and West Indies, if they beat New Zealand tomorrow, would go through at their expense.
England beat New Zealand in their previous match with Steven Finn and Luke Wright playing important roles. Finn achieved his as well as England’s best figures in the ICC World Twenty20 — three for 16 — before Wright hit a 43-ball 76.
But Sri Lanka is no New Zealand and Broad acknowledged that his team have a tough task at hand. “It will be an electric atmosphere for us on Monday and it will be important for us to keep our composure,” said Broad after the win yesterday.
“It will be loud, it will be hectic and there will be a lot of fans shouting for Sri Lanka but that will be exciting for us.” Even though the batting clicked against New Zealand, the English still seem to be missing that one aggressor who can rescue them in tight situations.
The bowlers have finally got a grip of the conditions even though spinner Graeme Swann hasn’t quite delivered for the team.