Strauss wants England hit Holland hard in opener‎

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NAGPUR: The Zero Mile Marker in Nagpur, bang in the middle of India, was once used as a measuring post by the British, but the World Cup opener against Holland should be enough to tell us how far England's one-day side has come since the 6-1 thrashing in Australia.

That series finished 16 days ago, but England's 67-run warm-up win over Pakistan in Fatullah on Friday reflected a desire to revert to the bold cricket that brought them five one-day series wins in a row before Australia.

In their dreams awaits a first World Cup. The pieces are more or less in place. Kevin Pietersen, who made 66 from 78 balls against Pakistan, has been belatedly entrusted with reinvigorating England's opening partnership, while Matt Prior is the new middle-order finisher.

The bowlers, meanwhile, are all fit again, with Stuart Broad's five-wicket hauls against Canada and Pakistan an advert for the benefits of a three-month break.

The contrast in mood between the final defeat by Australia 16 days ago and the start of a tournament England are telling themselves they can win has not been lost on captain Andrew Strauss.

'It was a frustrating two or three weeks in Australia,' he said. 'But we gained a lot of confidence out of that Pakistan game, purely because it was going back to a formula that has worked for us. It felt comfortable and has been the basis of most of our one-day cricket over the past two years.'

The cornerstone of England's more aggressive tactics will be the opening partnership between Strauss and Pietersen. Although it yielded only four and six in the warm-ups, the principle is sound.

'We are contrasting players and that might make it hard for bowlers to adjust,' said Strauss. 'I think it could flourish.'

Holland hold the bragging rights after their shock win in the opening game of the World Twenty20 in 2009.

Strauss, who was not in the team that night, played down its relevance before pointing out: 'If we are 10 per cent off and they have a good day, we are in trouble.'

Special attention will be reserved for Holland's first-class players: Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, whose one-day batting average of 68 is a world record, Worcestershire batsman Alexei Kervezee, 21, and South Australia batsman Tom Cooper.

Batsman Bas Zuiderent said: 'There is massive belief. We feel - and not just because of the Twenty20 win - that we can beat England.'