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Sri Lanka\u2019s Angelo Mathews knows exactly what it takes to beat England at a World Cup and the veteran batter is promising to \u201cfight fire with fire\u201d when the sides meet in Bengaluru.<\/p>\n
Mathews has only been an official part of the squad for 24 hours, called up as an injury replacement for Matheesha Pathirana after being left out of the original line-up, but goes straight into the side on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old brings bundles of hard-bitten experience with him, including a few memorable tussles with England over the years.<\/p>\n
There have been Test centuries at Lord\u2019s, Headingley and Galle, as well as a brilliant knock in a losing cause in the T20 World Cup of 2016.<\/p>\n
But most relevant to the task at hand was the dogged 85 not out in Leeds four years ago, a match-winning effort that threatened to derail what became a triumphant tournament for Eoin Morgan\u2019s men.<\/p>\n
Neither team can afford to lose at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this time, leaving Mathews ready for a high-octane affair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to fight fire with fire because we know they will come really hard at us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously we have to play our \u2018A\u2019 game against a very strong England team. Even though they haven\u2019t played to their potential they are a very dangerous team.<\/p>\n
If you take a backward step they are going to jump all over you and take the advantage. They can hurt us badly if we are complacent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know their brand of cricket is all about being positive; if you take a backward step they are going to jump all over you and take the advantage. They can hurt us badly if we are complacent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mathews also made it clear the expertise and inside knowledge of former England head coach Chris Silverwood, who now sits in their dressing room, has not gone to waste.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris knows most of their players in and out, we\u2019ve had discussions about their team as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n