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| April 11, 2007 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 22, 1428 |
Learn from Aussies, coach tells England
BRIDGETOWN, April 10: England coach Duncan Fletcher has told his misfiring team to learn from world champions Australia if they are to salvage their World Cup campaign.
England were beaten by seven wickets by Ricky Ponting's men in Antigua on Sunday but Fletcher insists they can make the semi-finals although they will have to win all three of their remaining matches against Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies.Fletcher has told his team that it is possible to pick themselves up just as they did in Australia on the eve of the World Cup when they shrugged off a losing run to beat the hosts in the final of the Commonwealth Bank series.
“We did it in Australia when we were beaten quite comprehensively and got through to the final and we've got to make sure we do the same thing here,” Fletcher said.
“It's mainly a mental thing rather than a technical thing. It's how they think about it when they get out there in those crucial periods, but it's important we don't talk too much about it and cloud their thoughts.”
England, who have lost three times to Test match opposition at the World Cup, face Bangladesh on Wednesday at the refurbished Kensington Oval with Fletcher telling his team that they have to be more patient when they get to the wicket.
The England coach believes his team can learn from Michael Clarke.
The middle-order Australian batsman played sedately at the start of his innings and took 42 balls to hit his first boundary.
But he helped skipper Ricky Ponting put on 111 for the third wicket before he remained unbeaten on 55.
“They have got to learn they have a little bit of time to have a bit of patience to rebuild and regroup,” said Fletcher.
“Sometimes we've gone in and the new batter has tried to score at six an over, but on these wickets it's not easy.
“If you look at Michael Clarke he showed a lot of patience and that's the key – show some patience and don't panic, it's important slowly to build momentum.”—AFP
Super Eights standings
Standings after Ireland v New Zealand match on Monday:
Team P W L T NR NRR Pts
New Zealand 4 4 0 0 0 +1.73 8
Australia 4 4 0 0 0 +1.51 8
Sri Lanka 4 3 1 0 0 +1.55 6
South Africa 4 2 2 0 0 -0.63 4
England 4 1 3 0 0 -0.06 2
West Indies 4 1 3 0 0 -1.18 2
Bangladesh 4 1 3 0 0 -1.78 2
Ireland 4 0 4 0 0 -1.39 0
Note:
1. Teams who defeated fellow qualifiers in the first round carry forward the two points from that match as well as the run-rate.
2. Teams who played each other in first round do not meet in the Super Eights
3. Top four qualify for the semi-finals.
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