England’s two warm-up matches this week will act as the perfect opportunity to build some momentum heading into the World Cup, according to Moeen Ali.
Eoin Morgan’s side face West Indies tomorrow and then Pakistan on Wednesday, the latter in a repeat of the 1992 final, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Those games give England the chance to secure back-to-back victories, something they failed to do in the recent Tri-Series, ahead of Saturday’s opener with co-hosts Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Moeen said: “I always feel every game playing for England, no matter what sort of game it is, is very important.
“One, to stake a claim into the side and, two, to keep some form going into the World Cup.
Openers Mo Ali & @Ian_Bell face our opening bowlers @jimmy9 & @crwoakes19 in Sydney today #LoveEngland #CWC15 https://t.co/Rzrx6PCBFC
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 7, 2015
“Hopefully we can win both of them games against two very good one-day oppositions and take some form into the World Cup.”
England showed they are capable of competing with the best, beating World Cup holders India twice during the Tri-Series.
Despite losing to tournament favourites Australia, Moeen believes England are dangerous opposition.
“The belief is very high at the minute,” Moeen said. "We have had some disappointing results but felt like we played quite well, apart from the final.
“We are really happy, especially after the Sri Lanka series, and we feel like we are going into the right direction. Hopefully we have got a good chance.
“We are going in as underdogs. We don’t feel the same pressure as the teams that are favourites. We will use that and hopefully surprise a few teams.
Here's Mo looking good in our new #CWC15 shirt #LoveEnglandpic.twitter.com/wVytoyUoY2
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 7, 2015
“The first thing is to qualify, to take every game as we can. Once we qualify, then it is a different ball game.”
Playing in a World Cup will complete a fine 12 months for the all-rounder, who has not looked back since making his international debut in the West Indies.
He said: “I love it. The day I started playing for England, I’ve loved it. I’ve tried to take every day as it comes and preserve every minute of it.
“To play a World Cup is a dream come true. It is an amazing feeling. Hopefully if I can have a couple of good innings in the warm-up games and start in a World Cup, it will be a fantastic feeling.
“It is something that everyone wants to play and it is a privilege to be in this position.”