Cricket World Cup 2011: we will raise our game for India, says England captain Andrew Strauss, after Holland scare

Andrew Strauss knows England must improve quickly and significantly if they are to prove a match for hosts India in their second World Cup match.

A six-wicket win over Holland came after an, at times, embarrassing fielding performance at the VCA Stadium - where Ryan ten Doeschate hit a career-best 119 as the minnows set England 292 for six.
England recovered their composure, on the back of half-centuries from Strauss (88) and Jonathan Trott (62), to pass a testing target with eight balls to spare.
Even so, it is hard to envisage Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team being too concerned about the threat likely to be posed by England on Sunday after their lacklustre first attempt.
"I hope India will take us lightly after this performance," Strauss said, with half a smile.
He is optimistic that England will prove themselves capable of much better when it is required.

Cricket-England romp to victory over dismal Pakistan

Pakistan could not cope with either a barrage of short-pitched bowling from the England pacemen or the slow bowling of Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy.

Umar Akmal hit Swann for two straight sixes into the sightscreen but was bowled for 17 when the England off-spinner kept his nerve and floated up another tempting delivery. Yardy was again economical, conceding 10 runs from his four overs.

]]>