England hope to plug holes

After being bruised and battered by Chris Gayle in the six-wicket defeat to West Indies in their tournament-opener, England, facing a must-win situation, rode on Joe Root’s class act to register a close two-wicket win against South Africa in a high-scoring encounter to keep their hopes alive.

Chasing a mammoth 230-run target, Root single-handedly got England over the line with a thundering 83 off 44 balls. If not for Root’s heroics, England would have been virtually out of the tournament after their bowling department leaked runs for a second consecutive match. 

And even though they start as favourites against Afghanistan, England would be aware that their bowlers would have to put up an improved performance. The 2010 champions’ under-fire bowlers and fielders will be up against a potent if not marauding Afghanistan batting line-up that gave Australia a scare in their last match.