COLOMBO, Sept 17: An inexperienced England side open their Champions Trophy campaign Wednesday and must overcome not only a determined Zimbabwe team fighting to avoid an early exit from the tournament, but also the tropical heat.

“The main condition you got to worry about is the heat. The wickets will be slower than in England and you’ve got to get the judgement right,” said England coach Duncan Fletcher after supervising his team’s training in humid conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

England go into the day-night clash aware that the format of this year’s version of the tournament means they can ill-afford a slip up, especially as their second pool 2 match will be against the in-form India.

It is the most competitive of the four first round pools, the winners of which qualify for the semifinals.

Zimbabwe lost their opening match to India by 14 runs on Saturday, but skipper Heath Streak still feels there is a realistic chance of a three-way tie if his side can beat England in this group of death.

“You can win one game and still go through. Each team has the ability to beat each other,” Streak told reporters Tuesday. “If we can pull off a win, it becomes a mini-final in the last match between England and India (on Sunday).”

England will be determined to maintain their excellent record against the Zimbabweans, having beaten them in their last eight games.—Reuters