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Colombo, Mar. 22 (ANI): England batting coach Graham Gooch believes the team is peaking at the right time in the 2011 World Cup.

Though most are skeptical about England’s form going into the quarterfinals, Gooch says that he has seen signs in the way the team is moving through the gears.

“The important thing about the World Cup is that you have to start playing your better cricket towards the latter stages,” the Daily Express quoted Gooch, as saying.

He added: “In 1987, here in India, we played very good, consistent cricket all the way to the final. But once there we didn’t play our best game [they lost to Australia by seven runs]. And in Australia, in 1992 [when they lost to Pakistan by 22 runs], we had just gone off the boil by the time the final came round.”"We know we can improve. We have looked under the cosh at various stages, but have managed to find something extra when the game was on the line. “And that is going to stand them in good stead - they are a good scrapping side. But, as importantly, I don’t think they are worried about winning or losing. At this stage, you just have to go out there and play your own game. It is no good going out there afraid of losing - and I don’t think we are,” he said.

“You can go on the form guide but this competition is proving difficult to predict. When it boils down to it, it’s about who handles the pressure. They (Sri Lanka) are a quality side, but there will be pressures on them because they are playing on their own ground in their capital city and it’s the last chance for one or two of their players. But there’s pressure on everyone,” Gooch said. (ANI)