T20 World Cup: England coach Matthew Mott says side will not make widespread changes

Matthew Mott says that England won't throw the baby out with the bathwater in their crucial T20 World Cup match against Australia on Friday.

A loss to Australia will end England's hopes of progressing in the competition.

Despite a poor performance with the bat and ball against Ireland, Mott did not think sweeping changes were necessary.

"You can't change yourself in a day or two," he said.

A lot of teams that have won the World Cup have lost.

It can be a little bit of a blow. We don't want to lose any games, but it will galvanise the group.

England's loss has set up a highly anticipated encounter at the 94,000-capacityMEL Cricket Ground, with hosts and defending champion Australia in the same position having lost their first game of the tournament.

After a poor start with the ball, England dismissed Ireland for 157 but their top order struggled to get going in pursuit as they ended on 105-5, five runs short of theDLS target.

Ben Stokes, who was brought back for this tournament having not played a Twenty20 international for more than a year, made six from eight balls while Dawid Malan found no timing in his 35 from 37.

If the bowlers did not perform well for a second match in three days, there would be changes to the XI.

Over the last month, I think we've played really solid cricket.

We're not going to throw the baby out with the water.

• Australia's Wade tests positive for Covid-19

Early on Thursday morning, before England's training session was forced indoors because of more rain, Mott was firm and honest in his response to questions of England's defeat, describing it as "timid".

The dressing room was a strong place to speak after the loss.

We were surprised last night.

We were probably a bit tentative as a group because of the weather.

England are third in Group 1 with two points behind Australia and New Zealand.

If either side were to lose, it would leave them needing to win their last two games to make the semi-finals.

There is a chance of more rain on Friday.

Finch brushes off concerns over form

Australia overcame a slow start to beat Sri Lanka by seven runs on Tuesday, after being dismissed for less than 200 in the match.

There was a lot of talk about the captain's place in the side after he was frustrated during his knock of 31 at the top of the order.

"It is lucky that I pick the team, isn't it?" he joked, when asked what he had said about dropping out of the team.

He said he felt confident in his game.

Adam Zampa failed a test for Covid-19. He thought Zampa would be available.

"I've heard that he's feeling a lot better right now," she said.

The day before the game, he was flat. We were going to give him enough time to get up for the game, but he thought it would take too much out of him.

You want to be 100% going into a game.