Giles shrugs off latest English ODI setback

ASHLEY Giles admits his England one-day team will be “low for a while”, but is confident there will be no mental scars after their agonising Champions Trophy final defeat.

Giles, who must ready a new-look Twenty20 squad for two internationals against New Zealand at The Oval today and on Thursday could only watch as England blew a winning position against India at Edgbaston on Sunday evening.

They had four wickets down and needed just another 20 runs from 16 balls in a match shortened by rain to 20 overs per side. But England fell short and extended their failure in ODI global tournaments to 17 spread over 38 years – including five defeats in finals.

Giles, however, does not believe there is a national mental block when it comes to clinching the ODI silverware.

“I don’t think it is a mental issue. It does happen,” he said of England’s latest setback.

“We’re going to be low for a while… I won’t sleep that easily … but at the same time, we’ve made every effort to prepare and to plan to get it right.”