England’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup squad may have stumbled into the Super Eights group stage thanks to weather and the much criticised Duckworth Lewis method of scoring – a no result against Ireland and a defeat to the West Indies in the opening stage – but the fact they got there seems to have breathed new life into Paul Collingwood’s men.

Morgan's 40 off 34 helped England top Group E

A 100% record since then sees them top Group E ahead of Pakistan and means they will avoid Australia and instead face the runner up in Group F in the semi finals.

The three match winning streak took in Pakistan (beaten by six wickets), South Africa (beaten by 39 runs) and last night’s impressive and calm beating of New Zealand by three wickets.

Kevin Pietersen, who we had a little problem with in the run up to the tournament, starred against Pakistan and South Africa, scoring 73 and 53, but was missing against New Zealand as he’d flown home to attend the birth of his son. It didn’t matter though.

A sensible, calm and determined England recovered from 60-3 in the eighth over chasing 149 to win in no small part to impressive innings Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright  who added 52 before Tim Bresnan rounded off the three wicket win with a four. Earlier England’s bowlers had kept New Zealand’s scoring to a minimum in the opening overs before they found their feet to reach 149-6 in their 20 overs.

England had already qualified for the semi finals thanks to Pakistan’s defeat of South Africa earlier in the day, but Collingwood knew the importance of keeping a winning momentum going into the knockout stages and he made sure his team knew it too. It was impressive stuff and will no doubt increase confidence throughout the squad.

Pietersen will be back for the match, which could be against any one from Sri Lanka, India or the West Indies. The good thing is, they will avoid Australia. England may fancy a bit of revenge against the Windies after the controversial Duckworth Lewis result in the first round. We’ll find out later today as India play Sri Lanka and Australia face the West Indies.

Whoever it is, England are looking good and there’s a belief growing that they could go all the way. But whisper it…this IS England, after all…

What do you reckon – do England have a chance of winning the trophy or will they choke as the pressure grows? Let us know in the comments.