Fletcher relieved as England progress

England coach Duncan Fletcher is just glad his side have reached the World Cup Super Eights after crashing out in the group stage in the last two tournaments.

They flopped at home in 1999 and their refusal to play in Zimbabwe in 2003 cost them progression.

This time England have qualified with wins over Canada and Kenya after recovering from a defeat by New Zealand and a drinking scandal, which led to Andrew Flintoff being stripped of the vice-captaincy and dropped for the Canada game.

"In previous World Cups we've stumbled early in the tournament so it is important that we've got through to the Super Eights," he told reporters after Saturday's seven-wicket win over Kenya.

"It was nice just to beat them three down and there was a good intensity in the field."

Last week's late-night drinking episode and the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer have added to the pressure in the last week but Fletcher can now see the positives.

"It's been very difficult from our point of view from the incidents that happened earlier that were reported in the media to the Bob Woolmer incident which definitely affected the players," he said.

"I think it has brought the side together."

England, who have never won the World Cup, next face surprise package Ireland in their first Super Eight match in Guyana on Friday.