On the eve of his fourth World Cup, England paceman James Anderson says "this time there’s a real difference in the belief that we’ve got".
Anderson has been part of sides that disappointed in 2003, 2007 and 2011, but senses the current crop can "surprise a few teams".
Anderson’s optimistic words come a day before the most daunting of openers, versus favourites and co-hosts Australia at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 32-year-old is the most experienced member of a fairly youthful squad and, like captain Eoin Morgan yesterday, stressed the importance of initially progressing through Pool A to reach the quarter-finals.
"This time there’s a real difference in the belief that we’ve got," Anderson said.
"There's a real, genuine belief that we can surprise a few teams; we feel confident enough that we can beat anyone if we have our day.
"In a tournament like this it’s all about qualifying for the quarter-finals and then you are three matches away from winning the World Cup.
"We're really keen on getting a good start, getting off to a positive start tomorrow, and hopefully everything else will take care of itself after that if we can get a good start."
The MCG is familiar territory to Anderson, who made his one-day international debut there as 20-year-old in 2002.
Faced with the prospect of a huge crowd firmly behind Australia, with little love for England on Valentine’s Day, the seamer is taking heart from emptying a similarly packed stadium on Boxing Day 2010.
Then, Anderson’s four wickets skittled Australia for 98, a score that England comfortably surpassed by stumps that day en route to Ashes glory.
With similarly overcast, and unfortunately wet, weather forecast for tomorrow, the conditions could again play into Anderson’s hands.
"I've played here a few times before and the atmosphere that 90-odd thousand people can create, it’s something that as a cricketer you want to play in front of crowds like this, you want to play in front of big crowds and show off your talent in front of them, and hopefully we can do that tomorrow," he added.
"We’re guessing that the majority will be against us, so that’s something that we’re prepared for. Again, we’ve played in a Test match in front of 90-odd thousand on Boxing Day and if we start well we know that we can quieten most of them."
Tomorrow Australia will be led by George Bailey after it was yesterday confirmed that, as planned, Michael Clarke will not be risked versus England as the skipper completes his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Should Clarke return in the hosts’ next game, against Bangladesh, fellow batsman Bailey could make way, an eventuality the latter is ready for.
Asked what he thought he might be able to do to save his spot, Bailey replied: "I don't think I probably will (keep my place), but that's fine.
"I think it's great that he is on track, certainly from the initial time of his injury I think he's done a remarkable job to get back in time - even to have murmurs of him playing in this game.
"To have him back for the next game, as was always the plan, I think he's done a great job."
Tomorrow Australia will also be without all-rounder James Faulkner, who has a side strain, while England have fully-fit squad to choose from.