Chris Woakes has urged England not to be distracted by permutations over net run-rates and just focus on beating Sri Lanka tomorrow as they look to seal a T20 World Cup semi-final spot.
England’s hopes rest on victory in their final Super 12s game in Sydney and hoping Australia do not overturn their inferior net run-rate against Afghanistan.
If Australia claim a thumping win in Adelaide today, Jos Buttler’s men may have to do more than simply win – even if they will have the advantage of knowing exactly what is required of them.
However, having already suffered a shock defeat against Ireland, Woakes insists focusing on victory is the priority.
‘We don’t go through if we don’t win this game, two points is the most important thing – I think we all realise that,’ said the seamer. ‘You can look at net run-rates all you like but if the points aren’t there, it’s irrelevant. I think we’re fully focused on the fact Sri Lanka will be a tough challenge.
‘We’ve already seen in this tournament and experienced that ourselves that if you’re not quite on your game a team will take advantage of that and can easily knock you over.
‘I don’t think we feel we deserve or have the right to win World Cups because we have a good side. It’s all about how we perform in crucial moments and games.’
Woakes, though, conceded he had ‘plenty of fist pumps’ when Lorcan Tucker rescued Ireland from 25 for five to deny Australia a much bigger win than the 42-run margin they claimed on Monday.
England then boosted their own net run-rate with a 20-run success over New Zealand on Tuesday.
If they can string together three more victories, they will become the first side to unify the limited-overs World Cups.
A key cog in the England side that triumphed in the 50-over edition in 2019, Woakes admitted having tournament-winning experience could be crucial over the next week.
Yorkshire disciplinary to be held in public
Disciplinary proceedings related to allegations of racism made by former Yorkshire bowler Azeem Rafiq will be heard in public.
The England and Wales Cricket Board charged a number of individuals in June over allegations made by Rafiq, and charged Yorkshire over their handling of those allegations. The Cricket Discipline Commission hearing is scheduled to start on November 28. However, any appeal against the decision to hold it in public could see the date pushed back.
Rafiq wanted the hearing to take place in public, while Yorkshire are also understood to be in favour.
Reports yesterday suggested the ECB initially opposed moves to make it public, arguing some witnesses would only give evidence in private.
‘If you hadn’t done that before you’d probably think, “God that’s such a huge mountain to climb”,’ he added.
‘T20 can be a little bit fickle at times but at the same time it’s also a big momentum game, so hopefully we can touch on that experience.’
While Liam Livingstone felt some ankle discomfort and Ben Stokes jarred his finger against New Zealand, the pair are expected to be fine to play tomorrow.
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