'Everything Is Must-Win Now' For Faltering England, Says Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali said on Wednesday that "everything is a must-win now" as faltering defending champions England face a Cricket World Cup day of reckoning. England tackle Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday knowing that a fourth defeat in five games will shatter any realistic hopes of sneaking into the semi-finals. "We know we've been in this position before although probably not to this degree, but we know everything is a must-win," said Moeen.

"We have to get our confidence and perform well and bat and bowl and field better than we have done so far in this tournament."

England's lone win came against equally hapless Bangladesh.

They have lost to New Zealand, suffered a shock defeat to Afghanistan and then slumped to a 229-run thrashing at the hands of South Africa, conceding their highest total in a one-day international of 399.

Injury-hit Sri Lanka have been just as underwhelming, also having just one win and three defeats.

Moeen is England vice-captain but the 36-year-old veteran was dropped after the opening defeat to New Zealand and has been sidelined.

He made just 11 runs in that game and failed to take a wicket.

In all, he has made just one ODI score in excess of 50 in the last six years and sat out the 2019 World Cup final.

Moeen did, however, feature in England's title-winning World Twenty20 team in Australia last year.

"It's very frustrating, obviously, because you want to play and make some sort of difference," added Moeen.

"It's difficult when you're not winning and then when you're not playing on top of that, it's hard."

Moeen believes England need to resort to the aggressive spirit of 2019 which took them to their memorable World Cup triumph over New Zealand at Lord's.

However, he insists he is not advocating