T20 heats up with England on Song

It is fair to say that in the 50 over format England have the potential to turn in performances of breathtaking quality and miserable ineptitude in the space of a single week. It seems that it is an affliction which will not be cause with a short dose of T20, so be prepared for a week of highs and lows as England enter the Super Eights.

Against Pakistan Collingwood's men produced an inverse display of the one against Netherlands, showing the pure mental grit that was required after such a humbling display. The selection showed bravery: two spinners, one less batsman and Mascheranhas in the top 6. It was a team selected with calculated risk, looking at how the pitch had taken spin earlier in the day and backing Kevin Pieterson to come off at the top of the order.

It all came off. After Ravi Bopara's first failure in an England shirt this summer Pieterson was at his best. While Wright was playing in his usual aggressive style he was easing himself in, and once the opener was gone he simply replaced him to ensure the run rate never dipped. The middle pitched in and more importantly, England were able to not only clear the boundary, but do it at key times to relieve the pressure which had cost them wickets against the Dutch.

With the ball, Adil Rashid and Graeme Swann bowled well in tandem with Rashid seemingly more relaxed, perhaps as a result of having a more experienced spinner at the other end, helping to build the pressure and tie Pakistan down in the middle overs. Impressive though they were, the stand out for me was Broad. He is a confident young man, but even he must have been shaken by the last over against the Netherlands. Although he bowled it well the ultimate outcome must have hurt but he was back to his very best, bowling with pace and aggression to shake up the Pakistan top order. He was aided by England's electricity in the field, and if they want to progress any further in a group including South Africa and India then these basics will need to be in full evidence.

The other team England will face will be a side to which they have dominated this summer, but who took them to pieces in the ill-fated million-dollars-a-man match in the Caribbean. The West Indies took the first step to dumping Australia out of the competition courtesy of a breathtaking innings by Chris Gayle. If ever a tournament was designed for a single man it is this World T20 for the West Indian skipper. He was brutal, and supported well by Andre Fletcher. Their bowling lacks refinement and variety and their fielding is less than average, but if Gayle can keep coming off at the top of the order they can upset anyone.

As the Australians they are off to lick their wounds, but while many are suggesting this could have a negative on their Ashes preparation their history suggests otherwise. Australia are an animal which, if bitten will come back with a vengence, just ask any member of the England touring party in 2007. They will use this extra preparation time to ensure they are primed for Cardiff but before that, hold onto your hats for the Super Eights and cross your fingers for Collingwood to lead out this England rather than the sorry bunch who faced the Dutch.