England bank on feminine effect

Mrs Strauss and Mrs Flintoff share a lighter moment on the Ashes tour

England coach Duncan Fletcher is hopeful the arrival of the team's wives and girlfriends will inspire them to better displays in the World Cup.

There was widespread criticism of their presence on the ill-fated Ashes tour last year but Fletcher is adamant the ladies improve morale within the camp.

"It's very, very important. We've done it on previous tours and they do help when they arrive," the coach said.

"This is a difficult competition and they do help when they are around."

Fletcher is aware the team need some assistance, following some lacklustre displays against sub-standard opposition such as Canada, Kenya and Ireland.

"We need to find consistency," he admitted.

"We just don't seem to be consistent and we have to be very careful that when we don't play well, other sides can take advantage of that situation and we'll struggle to get out of that."

The most crucial aspect of it is for the top order to build some partnerships Duncan Fletcher

After three successive matches against minnows, England's next opponents Sri Lanka are certain to provide a much sterner test on Wednesday.

"We have to lift our game," Fletcher insisted. "There are areas in our bowling where we had them two down early on and we looked as though we got a bit complacent and thought we were going to run through them.

"We've got to make sure when we get them there we keep bowling the lines and plans that we've set and maintain those disciplines."

In their most recent match England reduced Ireland to 139-6 but allowed their lowly opponents another 79 before they were finally bowled out by Andrew Flintoff.

"They've got to make sure they know there's a lot of hard work required after we make that initial breakthrough," Fletcher said.

"It's not as if they are just sitting back and thinking the game is over, but they have to be careful they stick to the plans."

Of the problematic top three positions, who made only 38 between them against Ireland, he said: "The most crucial aspect of it is for the top order to build some partnerships.

"Once they do that we can then look to accelerate, but they are very aware of what they've got to do, they're top cricketers and they've been around a bit now."