Flower: Batsmen must go back to basics

England coach Andy Flower has told his batsmen they must eradicate the "soft dismissals" that plagued them during the 6-1 series defeat to Australia if they are to have any chance of winning the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

England's performances against Australia were continually undermined by poor shot selection during a series where Andrew Strauss' scores of 63 in the third and fourth games proved to be their highest.

"Our batting is short of confidence, there is no doubt," he said. "I would say that there have been a number of soft dismissals throughout the series (against Australia) and those are more of a concern. I think it's a lack of confidence. I think if you do the simple things very well you will score runs in one-day cricket."

He added: "The only way you can do something about that is from solid practice and results meaning runs, and that is up to the guys in the middle.

"Going out to South Africa will give us a new start. There is not a lot of time in between to do anything significantly different, but yes, a change of scenery will be refreshing."

England's first match of the eight-team tournament is against Sri Lanka on Friday. A tough Group B also pits them against tournament hosts South Africa and New Zealand, with the top two progressing through to the semi-finals.

Flower believes the abbreviated format could work in his side's favour.

"Our form is poor. We can't hide from that. (But) we only need to get a couple of wins, we play three qualifying matches," he said.

"If we get a couple of wins there then we're into the semi-finals so we have a chance.

"We just have to go out there and pay good cricket. We know there is not a lot of time but we are looking forward to it. It's another challenge and we want to take it on."