More early blows could mean an early exit for Broad’s men

England have two matches at most to rediscover the passion and flair that made them Twenty20 champions of the world. Nothing suggests that they would be successful if they had ten at their disposal.

Lose to New Zealand tomorrow and another title could well go down the chute to join their number one Test ranking. The solution is simple but apparently elusive.

The loss of early wickets has virtually extinguished their campaign. In all three matches they have played in the tournament a batsman has departed in the first over and last night there were two. It is beyond carelessness.

Stuart Broad, the England captain, said: “Hopefully we have got four games left in this World Cup. We know we’re dangerous players but losing wickets in the first over especially is not acceptable.”

He knew more than anybody that England mucked it up against West Indies in the first of their three Super 8 matches. Chasing 180 to win on a flat pitch it was imperative that wickets were both preserved and cherished.

Broad said: “Whoever takes responsibility to go out there and face the new ball it’s important they do actually take responsibility and get through that first over.

“But we have lost wickets pretty regularly in the first couple of overs. We saw against Afghanistan when we kept wickets in hand how dangerous we can be.”

Craig Kieswetter, man of the match when England won the final in such style two years ago, has twice been out in the opening over of this tournament. Although he was top scorer in the crushing defeat against India it could be argued that he got out when he was in.

It is unlikely that England will change their opening pair because it would be seen as desperation. Kieswetter’s limited attributes, however, were always likely to be a liability.

He has some big shots in his armoury which he plays thunderously but he appears unable to organise an innings. By contrast his new partner Alex Hales has played two well-ordered innings out of three.

His partnership of 107 with Eoin Morgan last night took England within 15 runs of chasing down West Indies’ total of 179.