There is no doubt that a lack of hard, international match practise counted against us on Tuesday but we did everything we possibly could to prepare for the tournament and we certainly cannot have any excuses.

Sri Lanka came straight from a tough triangular series against India and New Zealand and they hit the ground running. It also helps that they have one of the most talented and well balanced squads in the tournament!

Defeat by 55 runs has left us in a difficult position. Not only do we have to win our last two games against New Zealand and England but we might also have to keep an eye out for net run rate. First, though, we have to concentrate just on winning. If we can do that then, hopefully, run rate will take care of itself.

I’m a big tennis follower and we’re in a situation now which feels like we’re about to play the round of 16 and the quarter finals – hopefully with a semi to follow. Every game is a knockout from here on in which brings an extra element of pressure.

But we have proven to ourselves time and time again that we can perform under pressure and nobody is doubting that we can turn things around. We went one-nil down to Australia in the home ODI series before going three-one up. If we have shaken off the competitive rust and perform to our potential then we can still play a prominent role in this tournament. I’m not saying we’re going to win it, but we can still give ourselves a chance.

It is only natural for our confidence to have taken a bit of a knock after a defeat like that but, at the same time as we look at our own performances and criticise ourselves, we must remember just how well the Sri Lankans played.

It probably wasn’t obvious to anyone watching on TV, or even at the ground, but the role played by captain Kumar Sangakkara was brilliant. During the partnership of 158 with Tillekeratne Dilshan he reined Dilshan in three or four times and probably stopped him getting out earlier.

Sometimes a batsman feels so good and is timing the ball so well that he believes he can hit anything and everything to the boundary. As a bowler you sense that and try to encourage a rash shot – but Sangakkara was not having any of that!

We have it all to do but Supersport Park is one of our favourite grounds and we are not in the mood to be eliminated after three days of the tournament.