Woakes feels England need a big scalp
England bowler Chris Woakes feels that his side need to beat a big cricketing nation at the World Cup to get their campaign back on track, and feel like they are turning the corner.
After losing convincingly in their first two matches of the tournament to co-hosts, Australia and New Zealand, England then went on to easily beat Associate side Scotland by 119 runs.
They play Sri Lanka at the Westpac stadium in Wellington on Sunday, and Woakes knows it is a big opportunity for the side to make a statement and give them the self-belief to show they are serious contenders at the global showpiece.
Woakes said: "It's important that we do show up against the big teams. You know, obviously tomorrow is a big game having already lost two in the tournament already. Sri Lanka are a good side, so we know we've got to be on our game.
"We want to get through to the quarterfinals and you're going to have to beat big teams on the way. Tomorrow is obviously a big opportunity for us."
The right-arm seamer has been his team's best bowler so far at the tournament, having taken five wickets in the three matches, and is happy with his personal form.
Woakes added: "I think since arriving in Australia I felt like I've hit my straps pretty well, executed plans reasonably well."
Latest
-
NewsAshley Giles will not allow England commitments to play second fiddle to IPL
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler could find themselves involved in a calendar clash.
-
NewsAshley Giles hints at possible new faces for England in New Zealand series
Giles suggested players who recently returned from the postponed Indian Premier League into quarantine may be eased back into action gently.
-
NewsCraig Overton and Lyndon James star in big wins for Somerset and Nottinghamshire
The paceman picked up five second innings wickets to set up victory.
-
NewsGloucestershire escape the bad weather as David Payne rolls over Middlesex
The seamer claimed six for 56 and 10 wickets in the match as the visitors secured a comfortable win.
-
NewsOn this day in 2004: Muttiah Muralitharan beats Shane Warne to Test record
Muralitharan surpassed Courtney Walsh’s mark of 519 Test wickets.
-
NewsCraig Overton displays all-round talents to put Somerset on top
James Bracey also excelled as Gloucestershire pushed for victory over Middlesex.
-
NewsNottinghamshire in control against Essex as 15 wickets fall at Trent Bridge
James Anderson removed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply.
-
NewsEngland could stage remaining IPL games in September as counties contact ECB
It is believed the matches could be wrapped up in little over a fortnight if a model of two games a day and three on weekends was adopted.
-
NewsOn This Day in 1988 – Worcestershire’s Graeme Hick scores 405 in single innings
Hick set a 20th-century County Championship record six years before Brian Lara broke it with his 501 not out for Warwickshire.
-
NewsAfter a failed footballing coup in Europe, it’s time we spoke about the IPL
We have had 13 years of the IPL and, perhaps now, we can imagine that cricket today is the blueprint of what football could have looked like