Stuart Broad: India loss hasn't scarred us

The captain himself is sporting a cut in the middle of his forehead after a swimming-pool collision with Tim Bresnan and the Yorkshireman's bulky watch at the team hotel.

But Broad is satisfied his will be the only wound, figurative or otherwise, worn by England today - despite their hapless performance against spin in Sunday's record 90-run defeat against India in Colombo.

He and his team-mates at least came through yesterday's practice session safely, as they got their first glimpse of new surroundings at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

It is there the champions will bid to get the defence of their title back on track, and erase unwanted memories of that unequal struggle against Harbhajan Singh four days ago.

"It is important to get back into the nets and start feeling like hitting the ball again," Broad said.

"It is all a mental state of mind, getting back in a positive frame of mind and reminding (ourselves) that we are good players who have performed consistently.

"We have match-winners in our side and it is certainly not one to worry or panic about."

He added: "If you are going to have a blip, do it in the game that doesn't matter.

"Going into this game there is no feeling of there being nothing on this one. Against India, as much as we tried to get away from it, there was the sense that - whatever the result - it didn't change what we did.

"It is important to get a good start in the Super Eights, because the games come thick and fast."

If England do respond with a winning performance, it may well be interpreted as a triumph of man-management from Broad and coach Andy Flower.

They retain eight of the squad who won this tournament in the Caribbean two years ago and Broad takes comfort from the continuity and being surrounded by players who know what is required.

"It is something to remind us," he said.

"Winning 'World Cups' is about winning the important games.

"There is no point playing like a dream all the way through to the semi-final and losing that one, so it is about developing momentum.

"It is about playing well in these three games and getting on a roll from here."