Super 8: England eager to get back to winning ways against Windies

Defending champions England would like to overcome the disappointment of recording their lowest-ever Twenty20 total and return to winning ways when they take on a dangerous West Indies in their opening Super 8 match of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Thursday.

After starting their campaign on a high with a comprehensive win over minnows Afghanistan, Stuart Broad's men failed big time against India in their last group match.

Chasing a competitive 171-run target, England were found wanting against the turning ball as spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla ripped apart the opposition batting line-up to bundle them out for a paltry 80.

Against India, the only English batsman to show some teeth was wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter, who scored a 25-ball 35.

English opening combination of Alex Hales and Kieswetter has been inconsistent in the tournament so far. But come tomorrow, the onus would be on them to provide a perfect launch pad against the West Indies, which comprises of a wayward opening attack.

In Luke Wright, England possesses a dangerous number three batsmen who can tear apart any bowling line-up on his given day.

Even though he failed miserably against the Indians, Wright showed his big-hitting prowess in England's tournament opener against Afghanistan with a 55-ball 99 and skipper Broad would be banking heavily on the right-hander to produce a substantial knock again.

But come tomorrow, the task won't be easy for the English batting line-up as in mystery spinner Sunil Narine and Chris Gayle, the Caribbeans possess a dangerous spin attack.

Considering England's weakness against spin, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy could well be tempted to play leg-spinner Samuel Badri ahead of all-rounder Andre Russel.

The Englishmen, however, can fancy their chances against an erratic West Indian seam attack, which so far has looked pretty ordinary in the tournament.

... contd.

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