Hazel: England are just itching to get going

Danni Hazell says England women are raring to go on the eve of their World Twenty20 opener with Pakistan in Galle.

"We are just itching to get going now," Hazell told ecb.co.uk. "We are all really excited about getting this World Cup under way."

England will be expecting to brush aside Pakistan tomorrow but Hazell insists they will not shift their mood from confident to complacent.

England beat Pakistan in two Twenty20s earlier this month and Hazell is optimistic of completing a trio of wins over the same opposition to get their tournament off to a perfect start.

Off-spinner Danni Hazell took 2-5 from three miserly overs during England's warm-up victory over South Africa 

"We played Pakistan at Loughborough recently and they are an up and coming side," said Hazell. "They have some good players and are improving - we won't be underestimating them.

"They have some good batters who hit a few sixes when we played them. We'll have to keep an eye on them."

England looked in fine form when they won their sole warm-up game against South Africa by a considerable 121-run margin.

Having posted a formidable 180 for four, in which Charlotte Edwards made 54, England dismissed their opponents for just 59 with Hazell picking up 2-5 from three miserly overs.

"It was a really good performance," she said. "There was some good run-scoring and the wickets were shared out when we bowled. It also helped us get used to the conditions over here.

"I'm feeling confident with my bowling. It's coming along nicely. Hopefully I can get some wickets early in the tournament and settle down."

England have lost just one Twenty20 since January 18 2011 and are rightly considered odds-on favourites to emulate the success of 2009 when Edwards lifted the trophy at Lord's.

However, Hazell says the burden of expectation does not weigh heavily on England's shoulders.

"We just need to concentrate on our game and if we do then we can come back with the trophy," she said.
"Everyone is really confident of doing well. We just want to get the competition under way now."