Time for England to show determination: Coach Peter Moores

IANS
Peter Moores

Christchurch, Feb 21 - England cricket coach Peter Moores on Saturday said the team will turn the frustration of their opening two World Cup defeats into a determination to put things right.

Friday's eight-wicket thrashing by New Zealand came after a 111-run loss to Australia in their opening Pool A game.

"It's not a time for talking, it's a time for doing. You have to turn that frustration into determination to put things right," Moores was quoted as saying by BBC Sport on Saturday.

England face Scotland on Monday.

Moores, who was re-appointed for a second spell in charge of England last April, added: "We're still in this tournament. We've got to be ready by Monday to come back and show that against Scotland."

England have not taken part in a Test since August, playing 16 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the run-up to the World Cup.

However, despite that extended period of preparation, England have lost their opening two games of a World Cup for the first time.

"We have to produce on the field," said the former Lancashire and Sussex coach.

"We have prepared and practised well, but that doesn't really count for anything if you don't deliver on the field. The lads accept that."

Eoin Morgan replaced Alastair Cook as captain in December, but there has been no improvement in England's results.

Saturday's loss in Wellington was a 16th ODI defeat by a Test-playing side in the 23 matches since Moores took over.

However, the 52-year-old said his own confidence was not shaken.

"As a coach you question yourself every day - are you getting everything done? There's never enough hours in the day to make sure you're trying to help people," Moores told BBC.

"In our set-up, the responsibilities between players and coaches is shared. Then, players have to make decisions for themselves on the field."

England now have little margin for error in their final four group games and can perhaps only afford one more loss against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Scots, who are the lowest-ranked team in Pool A.

"Monday's game will be a tough game because Scotland will be up for it, like we'll be up for it. We've been up for every game that we've played, which makes the hurt even more. The only response is what you come back with," said Moores.

"On Monday we'll be ready to play. We'll have dusted ourselves down, and we'll be determined to come back with something."

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Edited by Staff Editor