Mark Ramprakash tells 'underdogs' England batsmen to 'release shackles' ahead of WC

London: England cricket team batting coach Mark Ramprakash has told the batsmen to release the shackles and play as underdogs to help produce a mentality of no-fear in the World Cup.

England is reportedly hoping their tag as World Cup underdogs would help them play without fear this winter. And after watching Moeen Ali do exactly that on Friday, batting coach Ramprakash is keen for more to follow suit as and when the weather in a wet Sri Lanka allows them.

England were denied the chance to build on their bright start by rain and then a soggy outfield at theP Sara ground causing their second warm up match to be cancelled yesterday, The Mirror reported.

Instead they enjoyed a middle practice on the same pitch Kevin Pietersen played one of his trio of sensational Test hundreds in 2012, and a few of the same lusty strokes were used.

Only Moeen and Alastair Cook can claim to have had any meaningful time in the middle ahead of Wednesday's day-nighter leaving the likes of Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler to follow their lead somehow.

Ramprakash said that it is not ideal, that's for sure, adding that one is going into an international game and one wants to be prepared so if they have not had a knock that is not ideal at all.

He added that one cannot replicate time in the middle and that is important, but it was so fantastic to see how Ali started and one doesn't often see that from an English player to play with that flare and confidence.

The batting coach said that they are so pleased he has done that and the group has spoken about trying to release the shackles and play without fear and the batsman certainly did that.

Ramprakash said that he believes it is fair to say that England would be a wildcard for the World Cup because their form in the recent past would suggest that and that is entirely fair.

Ramprakash said that he would like to think that if England can release the shackles and play as underdogs then that would produce a mentality of no-fear and that could greatly help the side.