ICC World Cup: England need to stamp their authority, says Steve Finn

01 March,2015 08:40 AM IST |   |  AFP

After below-par performances in the tourney so far, pacer Steve Finn says his side is treating each match as a do-or-die tie


Wellington: England are determined to restore their World Cup credibility in a crunch Pool A match today against an improving Sri Lanka. Eoin Morgan's men return to Wellington's Westpac Stadium for the fixture, scene of a humiliating eight-wicket loss to New Zealand on February 20. That defeat followed a 111-run drubbing by Australia in their opener. A subsequent win over minnows Scotland was greeted with relief rather than jubilation.


England's Steve Finn bowls during a net session at Wellington's Karori Park on Thursday. PIC/Getty Images

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made a shaky start to their own campaign, suffering a 98-run loss to New Zealand and a real scare against Afghanistan. But they clicked in a 92-run win over Bangladesh last Thursday which included centuries for Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara.

But paceman Steve Finn said the conditions in Wellington would hand England an advantage.

"It's important we go out there and try to stamp our authority in conditions that should favour us," he said.

Finn said England's poor start meant they were treating all their remaining pool fixtures - against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - as must wins. "It's very important for us and these three games are almost each like a quarter-final, but we thrive on that sort of pressure and hopefully it will bring the best out of us."

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Steve Finn England Sri Lanka World Cup 2015 Eoin Morgan ICC World Cup 2015 Cricket World Cup 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 WC 2015 CWC 2015 ICC CWC 2015