'Whoever wins tomorrow looks likely to face Australia in the finals' says Blackie

Somerset's Ian Blackwell is under no illusion as to just how important the V.B. One Day international match against Sri Lanka is for England.

Speaking from Adelaide earlier today the twenty four year old all rounder who has been one of the success stories of the England tour `down under' told me:" Looking ahead to tomorrow's game it looks like being a semi final match because whoever wins looks likely to face Australia in the finals. I think they are going to be without Murali because he strained a thigh against the Aussies the other evening."

He concluded : "That will be a big psychological blow for the Sri Lankans and lets hope we can lift our game and get a win."

Meanwhile young Somerset batsman Neil Edwards, another England success story was also in Adelaide still enjoying the momentous win that the England Under 19's had recorded over their Australian counterparts.

Neil said: "Well what a fantastic feeling, its the morning after the night before and I think that everyone has come to terms with what we have all achieved! We are the first Under 19 team to win in Australia, so as you can imagine last night was a good one. From a personal point of view, it is definitely the best cricketing feeling I have ever had and without doubt the highlight of my career so far."

Neil reflected on the last day of the match. He told me: "They got off to a flyer but just before lunch we took three quick wickets and the game swung our way. From then on it was evenly balanced until they needed 21 with the last wicket standing. Everyone was buzzing in the field and we could feel a great win within our reach!! "

He continued: "When we got the last wicket, everyone went nuts and I can't really remember what happened then but in the changing room everybody was celebrating. After everything had calmed down a bit the management said a few words and told us to savour the moment and just to remember what it feels like because it is every cricketers dream to go to Australia and win a test."

Neil concluded: "For me it was something really special because I got 18 and 97 in my first Test, and with a win to cap it all off it just made a perfect end to a perfect 4 days!

Whilst the full England side are playing against Sri Lanka, in another part of Adelaide the England Under19's are taking on the England Academy in a limited overs match, before facing Australia again in the first one day match of their series on Saturday.