Luke Wright has his sights set on building on his match-winning effort against Afghanistan throughout the World Twenty20.
"We are a dangerous side", says England match-winner
Luke Wright admits he was relieved to receive a call-up to the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 and now has his sights set on building on his match-winning effort against Afghanistan.
Wright equalled the highest-ever score by an Englishman in Twenty20 internationals in his side's opening fixture, blazing 99 not out from just 55 balls to help secure the defending champions' place in the Super Eights.
The Sussex all-rounder was a central figure when Paul Collingwood led England to their first, and still only, International Cricket Council global trophy in the Caribbean two years ago.
But only Ravi Bopara's loss of form opened the door to Wright, even after his own surge of runs for Sussex had convinced the selectors to name him in their final 15 for the defence of England's world title.
Relieved
Speaking on making the cut for the Sri Lanka showpiece, Wright said: "When I was announced in the 30 originally, I was delighted with that - then just kept my fingers crossed I could keep scoring runs to force my way into the 15.
"Luckily that happened, and I was fairly relieved when I got the call to say I was in the 15.
"I suppose then when I joined up I was just desperate to get a chance, because I felt in the form of my life.
"Luckily, I've been given a go - and I suppose then it's about taking it.
"I hope so far I've done that, and it's now about building on this for the rest of the tournament."
Wright believes he, and England, have plenty more potential - and is hoping they will prove that again when they take on pre-tournament favourites India on Sunday.
There will be nothing other than winning momentum at stake in that fixture, because seedings will dictate against whom and where all qualifiers play.
Wright, however, is already looking forward to England's next opportunity to shine after racking up 196 for five and then bowling the opposition out for just 80 to set a new personal-best winning margin in this sprint format.
Confident
"I think with a performance like that it shows we are a dangerous side," he said.
"Naturally, the sub-continent sides are always going to be favourites in these conditions.
"But we've worked very hard on facing spinners, and we're quietly confident in the changing room.
"It's nice going into the next game knowing we're through. I don't think it will define whether we can win it (the tournament) or not.
"But obviously if we win that game, it will be another huge confidence boost."
