Moeen Ali has warned against complacency as England prepare for their opening match at the T20 World Cup. Alongside their first opponents Afghanistan, they are placed in a Super 12 group with hosts Australia and New Zealand.
The 2010 champions will travel to Perth to open their campaign against the underrated side led by Mohammed Nabi on Saturday. Though England will be the favourites to start their campaign with a win, Ali stressed the importance to not underestimate their opponents.
“That first game is on Saturday against Afghanistan and we cannot take them lightly. As we have seen already, with Namibia beating Sri Lanka and Scotland beating West Indies, anyone can beat anyone,” Ali wrote in his column for The Daily Mail . "We have to be on top of our game and this is one tournament and format where you will be punished if you are not at your best.
“You cannot write anyone off in such a short format. Last year, we got off to the perfect start when we beat West Indies, the then reigning champions. We could do with a similar start. In Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have a world-class player. They have potential match winners throughout their side and come Saturday, both teams will be up for it.”
England did suffer a setback as Reece Topley was ruled out of the T20 World Cup with an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old rolled his left ankle after standing on a boundary advertisement cushion during some catching drills ahead of England's six-wicket warm-up win over Pakistan in Brisbane. The PA news agency understands scans have shown significant ligament damage and his tournament is over.
Topley, who plays domestically for Surrey, impressed in England’s recent T20I series victory over Pakistan taking five wickets during four matches. Ali was "gutted" to see his team-mate miss out on the showpiece event just days before their campaign is due to begin.
“Unfortunately Reece Topley slipped and rolled his ankle in Brisbane and that is a big blow. He has been crucial for us this year," he added. "We are gutted he is missing the tournament. He has been through a lot of setbacks and I’m sure he will be back. He would have been such an important bowler and it is sad news just before our first game.”
Topley will fly home to England, where he will undergo surgery on the injury and has been replaced by fellow seam bowler Tymal Mills. After winning a thrilling series in Pakistan and defeating Australia 2-0, England head into the tournament in good form and full of confidence.
Ali assessed the morale among the squad and claimed the side do not feel the pressure to the extent they have before other major events. “We are ready for the World Cup," he stated. "We have backed up our performances in Pakistan with superb displays across the squad in Australia, but that will not count for much if we don’t carry that momentum into the tournament.
“Yes, the results have been good but what has been great to see is how we’ve played and rotated the squad. Everyone has come in and shown their class. In previous tournaments we’ve gone in with a bit of pressure on us but this time it feels different.
“We know what we want to do and I think the hardest thing will be picking our best team all of the time. That’s how strong the squad is and everyone is playing well. It is a good place to be in."
