ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Group B: South Africa v England
Venue: Chennai Date: Sunday, 6 March (0400 GMT)
Tournament dates: 19 February-2 April Venues: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Coverage: Highlights on BBC TV (see listings), Red Button & BBC Sport website at 2200 GMT every day (UK users only); Live Test Match Special commentary (BBC 5 live sports extra, online, some games also on BBC Radio 4 LW) and live text commentary on England matches and selected others; Live on Sky Sports
Trott says England form will improve
England batsman Jonathan Trott has rejected suggestions that the side's heavy winter schedule is to blame for their poor start to the World Cup.
Many of England's players came into the tournament after almost four months of non-stop touring in Australia.
They are struggling in Group B after a shock defeat by Ireland and next face table-toppers South Africa on Sunday.
"I think the breaks in between games were enough for people to be able to recover and to perform," said Trott.
"I think we have got to remember it is a World Cup - and you might only come to one World Cup.
"It is very dangerous to think about how much cricket we have played in the last couple of months.
"It is up to each individual and us collectively to gear ourselves up and feed off the energy of your team-mates and the atmosphere of the competition, which is really good."
England have three points following an underwhelming six-wicket win over Netherlands and a remarkable tie with India.
However, the three-wicket loss to a Kevin O'Brien-inspired Ireland has cast a shadow over their campaign, leaving them in need of victory against pre-tournament favourites South Africa in Chennai on Sunday to boost their hopes of making the quarter-finals.
Arguably, it has been England's bowlers that have most let them down, albeit on good pitches in the Indian subcontinent.
However, Trott believes they will come good.
"You have got to get on with it, just roll with it and support them," he said. "They are very difficult conditions, but I am fully confident they are capable of performing and winning us games."
Trott has been one of the rare success stories of England's tournament so far, with a score of 92 against Ireland adding to the half-century he amassed in the win over Netherlands.
England fielders' catching catastrophe (UK users only)
He also joined team-mate Kevin Pietersen and West Indies great Viv Richards for a share of the record for the fastest 1000 one-day international runs.
"It is an honour to be among those guys," he added. "But it is important you don't stand still and you look forward to the next 1000.
"Records are nice, but generally I don't play the game for records.
"It is always nice to be able to help the team get big scores and to get a few innings but I was a little disappointed I didn't carry on against Ireland and go into three figures.
"I hope I will get the opportunity against South Africa."
South Africa captain Graeme Smith is confident his side have none of England's worries heading into the encounter in Chennai, having managed two wins from two matches, courtesy of a seven-wicket victory against the West Indies and a 231-run success over Netherlands.
Smith said he expected to face a fired-up England following their humiliation by Ireland.
"They are a very proud team and have had some good ups over the last few years," said Smith. "They have the ability to play really well tomorrow and as a team we know that. We expect them to bounce back.
"The Ireland result will have hit them. It was terrific for the World Cup to watch them [Ireland] get the victory. Tomorrow will be a very different game."
Smith confirmed that Proteas batsman AB de Villiers, who has been in sensational form, hitting successive centuries in South Africa's first two games, will be fit to face England.
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England have to be respected - Smith
The 27-year-old has shouldered a heavy workload, taking on wicket-keeping duties as well as contributing with the bat, -and all the while suffering from a back injury.
Smith said: "AB has come through, his back is well and he will be fit or tomorrow's match."
The left-hander said he is hoping that his decision to stand as one-day captain will inspire his team's quest for World Cup success.
"It was a personal decision and I've been in the job for eight years which is more than most other captains tend to last these days," said Smith, who has already quit as Twenty20 captain, but will continue as Proteas Test skipper.
"It's not affecting us at all, things have been very normal in this squad, probably providing us a little more motivation for the guys, if anything.
"From my perspective I'm very proud of what I've done and I wanted to give myself the best chance of a World Cup knowing I've given it my best shot with the team and the players," added Smith, who was South Africa's youngest captain when appointed aged just 22.
"I just want that opportunity to have it all out here and get on that aeroplane knowing I've done what I wanted to."
