Major upset needed for England to progress

BRIDGETOWN – England talks a good game of cricket.

Not many of its fans are listening any more. After the team eked out a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday, very few of the thousands of English supporters in the Caribbean left the ground with much confidence that their team can reach the last four of the World Cup.England players say they are among the best in the world and are genuine title contenders here.On the evidence of performances so far, England can beat the teams that stand no chance of advancing.But they lose to the big teams, those that have to be beaten to gain a place at the sport’s top table.In the Caribbean, England has beaten Ireland, Bangladesh, Kenya and Canada while losing to New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia.The victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday was a case in point.England bowled well, bowled like a top team.In the face of accurate but unthreatening spin, Michael Vaughan’s players panicked and got themselves out.Shots were played that should not have been, by England’s top batsmen, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Andrew Strauss and Vaughan himself.Vaughan top-scored for England with 30 as England limped to 147 for six in reply to 143 all out.But his form throughout the competition inspired one wag in the crowd to hold a banner proclaiming, “Vaughan, lend us your bat for our beach cricket game.You’re not using it!” Vaughan confessed after the match that his side’s batting is a concern.But he promised that South Africa, the next opponent, will only be given a tough match if his team manages “to play at 85 or 90 percent.”Nampa-APAfter the team eked out a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday, very few of the thousands of English supporters in the Caribbean left the ground with much confidence that their team can reach the last four of the World Cup.England players say they are among the best in the world and are genuine title contenders here.On the evidence of performances so far, England can beat the teams that stand no chance of advancing.But they lose to the big teams, those that have to be beaten to gain a place at the sport’s top table.In the Caribbean, England has beaten Ireland, Bangladesh, Kenya and Canada while losing to New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Australia.The victory over Bangladesh on Wednesday was a case in point.England bowled well, bowled like a top team.In the face of accurate but unthreatening spin, Michael Vaughan’s players panicked and got themselves out.Shots were played that should not have been, by England’s top batsmen, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Andrew Strauss and Vaughan himself.Vaughan top-scored for England with 30 as England limped to 147 for six in reply to 143 all out.But his form throughout the competition inspired one wag in the crowd to hold a banner proclaiming, “Vaughan, lend us your bat for our beach cricket game.You’re not using it!” Vaughan confessed after the match that his side’s batting is a concern.But he promised that South Africa, the next opponent, will only be given a tough match if his team manages “to play at 85 or 90 percent.”Nampa-AP