England ready for World Twenty20
Hosts England preparing to get World Twenty20 underway tonight
Also In The News
|
All-rounder Andrew Symonds has been sensationally axed by the Australia selectors for the upcoming World Twenty20, which starts tomorrow. |  |
Friday, 05, Jun 2009 09:02
Hosts England are preparing to get the 2009 World Twenty20 underway tonight when they take on minnows the Netherlands at Lord's this evening.
The home side will be looking to get their campaign off to a good start with a convincing win, having enjoyed a period of good form going in.
Paul Collingwood's men recorded an impressive victory over West Indies in their warm-up match on Wednesday evening, having beaten the Caribbean side in both the preceding Test and one-day series' earlier this summer.
And under the new lights at Lord's, the England skipper is hopeful that his team's role as "dark horses" for the tournament - behind perennial favourites India, South Africa and Australia - will benefit the players.
"The belief and the freedom to go out there and express yourself is important in this form of the game," he said.
"Hopefully [being outside the group of favourites] will give the boys a bit more of a licence and they won't have as much pressure on them."
The tournament starts with four groups of three teams, with each team playing the others in their section once and the top two qualify for the Super Eights.
Group A features favourites and reigning champions from 2007 India as well as Bangladesh and Ireland.
In addition to the Netherlands and England, Group B also includes Pakistan, while Group C is regarded as the toughest section - featuring Australia, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Group D comprises top seeds New Zealand, South Africa and rank outsiders Scotland.
From the two groups of four that make up the Super Eights, the top two will qualify for the semi-finals.
The final will be played at Lord's on Sunday June 21st.