Kevin Pietersen upbeat over task ahead

England Cricket / Editor / 03 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Kevin Pietersen insists England have got to win one of their next two games if they want to give themselves a chance of making the semi-finals.

England opened their Super 8 campaign with a win over minnows Ireland but now face Sri Lanka and Australia in the next five days and Pietersen insists the side has to pick up at least two points if they want to progress.

The world's leading one-day international batsman is under no illusions as to the task ahead but is confident that the side can deliver at least one victory.

The South African-born star said: "It's a massive week for us. We cannot finish on Sunday with no points from these two games.

"We cannot leave Antigua on Monday with just the two points we have because that will make it really hard for us.

"I know there is a small mathematical chance of going through if we win the last three games, but we've got to get at least another two points out of this week and the guys are upbeat about it.

"It is the World Cup and anything can happen in the World Cup on your day.

"We just have to make sure we give ourselves the chance to get to the semi-finals."

England have been far from convincing in three straight victories over the 'lesser' sides following their six-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the opening group game and this has been reflected in the market.

Sri Lanka bounced back from a narrow defeat to South Africa in their first Super 8 game to thrash West Indies by 113 runs and they are favourites at 1.48 to win Wednesday's clash in Antigua.

England are available at 3.05 to make amends for a 5-0 ODI series defeat at home last summer before taking on Australia at the same ground on Sunday.

Despite starting the World Cup on the back of a dismal run of form, including three straight defeats to England on home soil, the defending champions have swept all before them so far in the tournament and, unsurprisingly, are massive favourites at 1.31.

England are on offer at 4.1 to beat the Aussies, while a semi-final defeat can be backed at 3.85 in the 'England - Stage of Elimination' market, with no prices quoted for a Super Eight exit.