Eoin Morgan has “every confidence” that if England play well they will beat Bangladesh and get the first of two wins they need to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
Morgan’s men must defeat the Tigers at the Adelaide Oval on Monday and Afghanistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday to have a chance of progressing, while relying on other results going their way.
Bangladesh have seen off Afghanistan and Scotland so far in Pool A, and also likely benefited from a washout versus Australia.
Morgan is therefore keen to approach Monday’s match in the right way.
“They’re a side we certainly don’t take for granted,” he said.
“They’ve come a long way probably in the last 10 years and again we’ve played against them a lot.
“But I think a lot of our focus going forward is going to be on us. It’s easy in games likes these where you play a side who you play a lot, and have had a lot of wins against them, it’s easy to take them for granted or look too much into what they do.
“If we play well I’ve every confidence that we’ll win this game.”
Morgan was tight-lipped on any changes England may be planning, having lost three of their four group games.
It will therefore likely be at the toss on Monday that he reveals whether any of Ravi Bopara, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan or James Tredwellcome in.
“We’re still two days before the game. Making any changes are obviously big decisions,” Morgan added.
“But again, like after any other win or loss we do look at the squad and see where we can improve it, and guys who can come in and make an impact.”
England can take heart from making scores in excess of 300 in their last two matches, against Scotland and Sri Lanka.
In the latter fixture Morgan was encouraged by Joe Root’s classy 121 and Jos Buttler’s 39 not out from just 19 balls.
Yet England’s bowling was a concern as Sri Lanka comfortably chased 310 for victory with nine wickets and 16 deliveries to spare.
“One of our huge positives coming out of it was that it was the second time scoring 300,” Morgan reflected.
“Joe Root’s innings was magnificent, and the way Jos Buttler played at the end was outstanding and our last 10-12 overs were brilliant, and backing that up after Scotland was very important for us as a side, giving us confidence going forward.
“As I said after the game, our bowling was a bit of a concern because our first 35 overs normally are our strength.
“We look to take wickets up early with aggressive bowling and then build pressure in the middle period by banging out a length.
“We bowled some bad balls and we were I suppose less attacking than we normally would have been with the ball, which again gave Sri Lanka a release anytime there was pressure was built.”
The lads sign a few autographs for England fans @TheAdelaideOval#EngvBan#CWC15pic.twitter.com/fCZgs1TThB
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) March 7, 2015