Vaughan: England can still reach semis

[TheGuru]

Vaughan: England can still reach semis

Captain Michael Vaughan is predicting England can pick themselves up from their heartbreaking defeat against Sri Lanka and reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Wednesday night's two-run defeat in the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium - after man-of-the-match Ravi Bopara was bowled off the last ball needing three to win - leaves England as firm outsiders to reach the last four for the first time since 1992.

Asked whether England could reach the semi-finals, Vaughan replied: "I think we can. It was gutting to lose but there are a lot of positives to take from the game. Not many people gave us any chance of turning up and producing a performance, but we were outstanding in the field and there were just a couple of areas in the batting we need to look at."

Essex all-rounder Bopara won the man of the match award for his superb 52 off 51 balls but Paul Nixon could also have had a case after hitting 42 off 44 deliveries, including a reverse-sweep for six off Muttiah Muralitharan, during an 87-run stand spanning 15 overs that had raised hopes of a memorable win after England were 133 for six.

Vaughan added: "The way Ravi and Paul Nixon played in that partnership was outstanding and I thought we were going to get over the line with that partnership. It wasn't to be but the players can be very proud and Ravi can also be very proud of the way he played - he's going to have a big future in the game."

Seamer Dilhara Fernando ended England's hopes of completing a stunning fightback by bowling Bopara from the last ball to spark frenzied celebrations among the Sri Lankan team.

"It was looking a long shot, but the way they played was intelligent," said Vaughan.
"They knocked it around and just hung in there and when you've got guys like Ravi and Paul Nixon in, they can hit to parts of the ground that are boundary options. We will work on the areas that weren't so good, but there were a lot more positives to take from this ground than there have been from the rest of the World Cup."

Only by winning all four of their remaining Super Eight matches, including Sunday's showdown with Australia and the April 17 clash with South Africa in Barbados, will England be confident of qualifying for the semi-finals.
And Vaughan added: "Sunday is a big game (against Australia) and they are playing very good cricket, but not many people gave us much chance of turning up and putting Sri Lanka under pressure so we'll try and do the same on Sunday but hopefully get the two points."

I think England are on the way out, now theres a surprise

[Nutty_ZA]

Sadly, I think you're right... But wasn't the Sri Lanka Match a Nail biter...
All credit to Ravi Bopara and Nixon.... shame he got bowled out on the last ball

Can't see England beating Oz or South Africa to be honest tho it has happened before so can't write them off totally...
If England do get thru it will be at South Africas expense, so in two minds here

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Nutty_ZA

Can't see England beating Oz or South Africa to be honest tho it has happened before so can't write them off totally...
If England do get thru it will be at South Africas expense, so in two minds here

There is a small chance that England can do it, but I think the odds are about the same as ZA winning the next Football World Cup

Mike...

[Nutty_ZA]

Originally Posted by Mike

There is a small chance that England can do it, but I think the odds are about the same as ZA winning the next Football World Cup

Mike...

LMAO... Ummm... so what you really saying is there's a Snowballs chance in Siliconhell????

[Mike]

Very good

Mike...

[Nutty_ZA]

OKay, I take it back... judging by South Africa's performance today, England will Thrash SA

[Mike]

I cant see it happening though

Mike...