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England need to win against a big side in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, says Chris Woakes

England lost their initial two matches but came back to win against Scotland by 119 runs.

England need to win against a big side in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, says Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes believes a win over Sri Lanka at the Westpac Stadium on Sunday will do wonders for England’s self-belief © Getty Images

Nouvelle-Zélande: England need to beat a “big side” such as Sri Lanka if they are to get their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 campaign up and running, paceman Chris Woakes said on Saturday. Eoin Morgan‘s side face Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, in Wellington on Sunday with the team still looking for their first Pool A win over a Test side this tournament.

England started the World Cup with a 111-run thrashing by arch-rivals Australia in Melbourne and things got even worse when they suffered an eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand, the other tournament co-hosts, when they last played in Wellington.

They eventually kick-started their push for the quarter-finals when they beat non-Test nation Scotland by 119 runs. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

With group games against perennial strugglers Bangladesh and tournament newcomers Afghanistan to come, England could qualify for the quarter-finals without defeating a major side given four teams out of the seven in Pool A will head into the knockout phase.

But Woakes believes a win over Sri Lanka at the Westpac will do wonders for England’s self-belief. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings

“It’s important that we do show up against the big teams,” said Woakes. “You know, obviously tomorrow is a big game having already lost two in the tournament already. Sri Lanka are a good side, so we know we’ve got to be on our game. We want to get through to the quarter-finals and you’re going to have to beat big teams on the way. Tomorrow (Sunday) is obviously a big opportunity for us.”

Woakes is England’s leading bowler at the tournament so far, with five wickets in three matches at an average of under 20.

“I think since arriving in Australia I felt like I’ve hit my straps pretty well, executed plans reasonably well,” said Woakes, who has proved far more economical in the World Cup thus far than England spearhead seamers James Anderson (averaging 67) and Stuart Broad (58.50). Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

“I’ve had an off day here or there, but I suppose you have those every now and then, but in general I feel pretty good, and in good confidence actually going into the Sri Lanka game, so I feel like I’m in a good place.”

Last week, England were dismissed for just 123 in under 34 overs by New Zealand, with Tim Southee taking seven for 33.

Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum then struck the fastest-ever World Cup fifty, off 18 balls, as England raced to their meagre target in 12.2 overs.  Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

“Obviously last time we were there it didn’t exactly go to plan,” said Woakes, who escaped the New Zealand onslaught with two wickets for eight runs in three overs, although he was the fourth bowler used.

“It’s hard to read too much into that game, I suppose,” said the 25-year-old Warwickshire fast-medium bowler. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

“We were pretty poor. We obviously didn’t get a total on the board, and Tim Southee bowled exceptionally well, as well. Hopefully we’re past that now and can put that behind us, but it would be good to get back there and show people what we can do.”

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