Bresnan ready for battle

"We're quite smart as a bowling group and getting smarter all the time. We make the batters hit into the wind, especially when the boundaries are so big (in St Lucia), and that means they're playing into our hands. "
Tim Bresnan Quotes of the week

After sneaking through a rain-ruined initial group stage, England have flourished in the Super Eights with three confident victories seeing them top the group and power into the last four.

Having avoided Australia, Paul Collingwood's men go up against Sri Lanka at St Lucia's Beausejour Stadium on Thursday, and they have already begun forming their plans for the game.

Bresnan will be a key player with the all-rounder making giant strides since last season, and he does not lack for confidence in his or his team's ability.

"If we keep playing the brand of cricket we can play, it doesn't really matter who we play against," Bresnan said.

"We'll do our homework before, put our plans in place. We'll have respect for the opposition but we won't be scared of anyone."

Trusted

Bresnan has been trusted by Collingwood and coach Andy Flower with new-ball and death bowling and a potentially pivotal batting position of number seven.

"We're quite smart as a bowling group and getting smarter all the time," he added.

"We make the batters hit into the wind, especially when the boundaries are so big (in St Lucia), and that means they're playing into our hands.

"That will be a big factor in our game plan."

As for the onus on him to set the tone with the ball, Bresnan actually believes his initial task - alongside fellow Yorkshireman Ryan Sidebottom - can be a little less precarious than those that follow.

"I think the first over is almost easier than bowling the third or fourth," he added.

"If you bowl it where you want to - back of a length and straight - with a little bit of variation, especially if it swings as well, the batsmen are just going to have a little bit of a look at you.

Cash in

"By the third or fourth over, that is when the batter really starts to try to cash in. That's when you've got to use your skill and nous to do something different, and keep them guessing."

England will welcome back Kevin Pietersen after he flew to England on Saturday night to be present at the birth of his first child in London.

Pietersen missed just one fixture - in which Bresnan took man-of-the-match honours in a three-wicket win against the Kiwis - and will be back well in time for England's next big test.

Bresnan added: "Everyone's happy for KP, a baby boy, his first child, a fantastic experience. He was right to be there, in my opinion.

"There have been a few photographs floating around and it's a very cute-looking baby."