Gough hopeful tide will turn

Darren Gough is backing England to emerge from their dismal recent run of one-day international defeats and challenge Pakistan in the five-match NatWest Series.

The veteran Essex seamer, recalled to England's one-day plans after a year on the sidelines, will be trying to reverse the current slump in form during the opening day-night international against in Cardiff.

"I think everybody thinks we are the underdogs because Pakistan are a very destructive side, but we have a very talented one-day side, too," he said. "We are very good at one-day cricket, Twenty20 and 50 overs. If we all perform and believe, we have a chance of beating anyone."

Including the Twenty20 defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, England have lost their last eight one-day matches against meaningful opposition - hardly ideal form with less than a year to the start of the World Cup in the West Indies.

Right now, England would accept any kind of victory after winning just three of their last 16 one-day internationals - and one of those wins was earlier this season against Ireland's part-timers.

Having performed in a record 156 one-day internationals for England, Gough is aware it will not take much to turn them from a side used to losing into a successful line-up.

"We just have to get our game-plans right, our confidence right and out partnerships right," he insisted.

"When we get on a roll we are hard to beat, but I think we are just in a bit of a rut at the moment after the number of one-day internationals we've lost."