We need to win against Lankans to stay alive: Pietersen

St John's, Antigua, Apr 3 (UNI) Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen today admitted that his team will have to win tomorrow's match against Sri Lanka to stay in contention for the semi-final berth of the World Cup.

''As the Super Eight league is progressing I think it is becoming tighter. We know that we have to win against Sril Lanka,'' he said.

England has already stamped victory in one of their two ''soft games'' against the minnows Ireland and now take on former champion Sri Lanka and defending champion Australia in a span of next five days.

Talking to reporters after the team's work out session at Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) here, the South Africa born English batsman said, ''It's a massive week for us. We cannot leave Antigua on Monday with just the two points because that will make it really hard for us to make it to the last four,'' adding, ''I know there is a small mathematical chance of going through if we win the last three games, but we've got to get at least another two points out of this week and the guys are upbeat about it.'' ''There is still enjoyment in the camp, but simultaneously a lot of hard work is going on as it is the World Cup and on your day anything can happen here. We just have to make sure that we give ourselves the chance to get to the semi-finals,'' the hard-hitting batsman said.

Commenting on his side's less-impressive show against the debutant Ireland, Pietersen said, ''The other day against Ireland initially we lost six wickets and then the last few batters scored a load of runs. The intensity dropped off a bit, but that is natural. The guys have spoken about it and they know we have to keep our intensity up throughout.'' ''Against Sri Lanka or Australia you cannot slip up for five or 10 overs in an one-day game, you've got to nail the full 100 overs.'' However, there was a good news for England with Andrew Flintoff, who left the field with an injury against Ireland , resumed training at nets and is expected to be fit for tomorrow's crucial showdown.

On the other hand, coach Duncan Fletcher has urged his top order batsmen to step on the gas in the match against the Lankans.

''Our leading batsmen have been scoring at rates far lower than those expected in modern one-day cricket as we lack explosive openers like Sanath Jayasuriya or Australia's Adam Gilchrist. That has increased the pressure on the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood in the middle of the order and led to some unimpressive totals,'' an worried Fletcher said.

The English coach was candid enough to admit that even against less formidable sides like Ireland, Canada and Kenya, England have failed to reach 300 run mark.

He further acknowledged that run rate was a concern for them, however, contended that any change in approach could lead to greater problems.

''We've got to play to our strengths with the players available to us at this stage.'' UNI