England just need to beat Sri Lanka

ENGLAND can focus solely on beating Sri Lanka in Sydney today to reach the T20 World Cup semifinals after being given a helping hand by Afghanistan yesterday, writes David Charlesworth.

A heavy Australia win over Afghanistan at Adelaide might have meant England keeping tabs on net run-rate permutations in their bid to finish in the top two of their Super 12s group.

But while Australia moved into second place and level on seven points with New Zealand, the hosts were restricted to a four-run victory over an Afghanistan side coached by ex-England batsman Jonathan Trott.

That means an England win by any margin will be enough to go back above the defending world champions and progress with the Black Caps, who are favoured to finish top due to their superior net run-rate.

However, on a pitch that could prove receptive to spin at the SCG, with Sri Lanka able to call upon Wanindu Hasaranga and

Maheesh Theekshana, they are not a team to be taken lightly.

Alex Hales, above, who became the first England batsman to record a T20 international century in 2014 against Sri Lanka, recognises as such but feels his side has the firepower to combat whatever is thrown up.

“They’re always a very tricky side and they’ve got some handy operators,” Hales said. “We’re going to have to play our best cricket to win. But we’re pretty confident and the mood is good in the camp.

“I feel like we can deal with anything that’s ahead of us. We have a very confident batting unit and I think we’ll be able to adapt to whatever we need.

“On a personal level, to have a chance to play knockout cricket in a World Cup would be a very special feeling.

“As a group it will be, too. It’s a pretty tight competition and to get through is difficult.

“You have to beat some very good teams along the way. It would be a good achievement if we can get through, in a pretty tough group in my opinion.”

New Zealand booked their spot in the last four by overcoming Ireland despite a sensational hattrick from Josh Little. The Black Caps’ 35-run victory came despite the best efforts of Little, who snared Kane Williamson when the captain miscued a pull before pinning both Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner in front off the next two balls.