Alec Stewart's side, written off as no-hopers before the tournament by the local media, silenced the critics with a comfortable win over defending champions Sri Lanka in the tournament opener.

Now, the selectors hope, the fans are beginning to sit up and take notice. Team manager David Graveney said: "It was crucial we won the first one. I hope the quality of our perfomance at Lord's will get the whole country behind us."

English newspapers are still full of Manchester United but the cricket, despite its low-profile promotion, is beginning to make inroads as the football season wind s down. Cricket officials hope the World Cup may win back soccer-mad youngsters who had drifted away from the sport.

England, meanwhile, look set to avoid the temptation to experiment with their line-up against Kenya. That will mean seamerAngus Fraser missing out again to the `bits-and-pieces' skills of Ian Austin, while attacking opening batsman Nick Knight will be sidelined a gain by the steadier Nasser Hussain.Coach David Lloyd said England would treat the game as seriously as any other. "I can assure everybody we won't be taking this one for granted. It's another stepping stone," he said.

England's preparations have been ruffled by one incident, however. Adam Hollioake, the side's former one-day captain before he made way for Stewart, has been rapped after making a gesture at some fans during a warm-up match last week.

Teams

England (likely): Alec Stewart (capt), Nasser Hussain, Graeme Hick, Graham Thorpe, Neil Fairbrother, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Hollioake, Mark Ealham, Ian Austin, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally.

Kenya (likely): Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe, Hitesh Modi, Thomas Odoyo, Alpesh Vadher, Asif Karim (capt), Tony Suji, Martin Suji, James Kamande.