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England out to make history: Prior

By Pti

Dhaka, Feb 14 (AFP) Matt Prior said today that a buoyantEngland were using their barren run at the World Cup as amajor motivation for glory this time around.

Despite being one of the game''s major forces, England areyet to win cricket''s showpiece tournament -- although they didmanage to reach the final in 1979, 1987 and 1992.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior said England''s rediscoveredconfidence stemmed from their World Twenty20 triumph last yearand the drubbing of Australia in the Ashes series Down Underafter a gap of 24 years.

"Before the T20 World Cup, England had never won an ICC(International Cricket Council) event," he said. "It was 24years before England won the Ashes in Australia. So we see itas a challenge.

"We know what the records suggest. We have got a verystrong team and big belief, a strong belief in this team. Youknow records are there to be broken so that will not stand inour way.

"If there is anything, it is the motivation to playbetter."

Prior said the team will look to peak at the right time.

"We want to win it. That''s why we are here. But I thinkit is important that we don''t look too far ahead. You are notgoing to win the World Cup on the first day.

"Every team has to be respected. You take one game at atime with one goal -- to win."

Prior said winning the World Cup was as important to histeam as the Ashes. "For an Englishman to win the Ashes inAustralia is a huge prize. To win the World Cup will be rightalongside the Ashes. I don''t think you will put one as moreimportant than the other.

"It would be a phenomenal thing to achieve."

England are placed in Group B with India, South Africa,Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands and the West Indies, withthe top four sides making it to the quarter-finals.

The tournament starts in Dhaka on Saturday. England starttheir title march against the Netherlands three days later.

(AFP) SHN

Story first published: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 0:00 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 15, 2011