England Cricket / Editor / 08 March 2007 /

Star batsman Kevin Pietersen says England's recent one-day series success has laid a perfect World Cup platform.

Pietersen, who has returned to the England side in the Caribbean after a rib injury, says the manner of their remarkable Commonwealth Bank series victory over Australia has created buoyancy in the squad ahead of the start of the World Cup next week.

"There is a definite difference around the squad," said Pietersen, after England's thumping warm-up win over Bermuda this week.

"To win a trophy abroad, especially against Australia and come back after a few weeks off and get the batteries recharged is great.

"You can just tell the difference here at the hotel. The boys have smiles on their faces, there's a different feel. There is a lot more joking around and messing about and a lot more positives.

"There weren't too many positives when I was out there nine or 10 weeks into the trip and we kept getting hammered all the time, so it was totally different."

Pietersen was a frustrated observer as England returned to form with their one-day success in Australia but the Hampshire batsman made 43 on his return to the crease against Bermuda.

Pietersen is the 3.3 favourite to finish cricket's showpiece event in the West Indies as England's top batsman, with Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood - the star of the Commonwealth Bank series triumph - available at 6 and 6.6 respectively.

England are currently trading at 3 to follow up their triumph over Bermuda on Monday with another win over Australia (1.46) in their final warm-up match in St Vincent.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>