Floundering England face the Lanka test

Wellington, February 28

England are looking at their return to Wellington for Sunday’s clash with Sri Lanka as a chance to put their last visit to the New Zealand capital behind them, all-rounder Chris Woakes said today.

England were humiliated by co-hosts New Zealand in the Pool A encounter at the Wellington Regional Stadium last week, crumbling to an eight wicket defeat after Black Cap seamer Tim Southee had taken seven for 33. “I think we’ve got a good opportunity to turn things around really,” Woakes told a news conference at the stadium, known locally as the “Cake Tin”.

“Obviously last time we were there it didn’t exactly go to plan. It’s hard to read too much into that game, I suppose. We were pretty poor. I think it’s a good opportunity for us to put that completely behind us and show people what we can do and put in a solid performance.”

With the defeat to New Zealand added to a slightly less embarrassing loss to the other co-hosts Australia, England have only a victory over minnows Scotland to show for their efforts at the tournament so far.

In Sri Lanka on Sunday, England face former world champions who have reached the semifinals of the last three World Cups and the final of the last two. “It’s important that we do show up against the big teams,” said Woakes. — Reuters