England players charged up for Sri Lankan clash, says Flower

Johannesburg, Sep 25(ANI): England team director Andy Flower has said that after the NatWest disaster, England players are looking forward to performing at their best in the Champions Trophy.

Flower said that his players are all charged up to begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka on Friday.

"We have had a long, hard summer back home, so getting out here and playing in this tournament, with the best players in the world is very exciting for everyone. We are looking forward to that challenge," The Telegraph quoted Flower, as saying.

"There is no trouble at all getting the players up for this tournament. Being here and feeling the buzz about it, and looking forward to a couple of wins to get us through to the semi-finals is exciting for everyone," he added.

During the one-day series in England, Australia's fast bowlers led by Brett Lee had given a tough time to the young England batsman, and now they will have to face the deadly combination of Sri Lankan spin duo Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.

However, Flower reckons that they are up for the challenge, and said: "It proved a tough series against Australia, but the Sri Lankans will put forward a completely different challenge." (ANI)