Eng take on Kiwis in must-win game

Melborune: England must get past in-form New Zealand on Tuesday if they are to get their T20 World Cup campaign back on track but their hopes of reaching the semifinals would also suffer a heavy blow if the Brisbane weather refuses to play ball.

England are in a precarious position after their rain-hit defeat to Ireland and with last week’s eagerly-anticipated encounter with champions Australia abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Rain is again forecast for Tuesday and another washout would mean England could finish on a maximum of six points in Group 1 provided they beat Sri Lanka in their final game on Saturday - a tally that would likely see them fail to advance.