James Anderson backs newcomers to perform

James Anderson feels new recruits Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter can help fire England to success at the World Twenty20 in West Indies. The duo are expected to open the batting as Andy Flower tries to find a combination that can take advantage of the fielding restrictions.

If Lumb and Kieswetter are paired together when England face West Indies, in Guyana on May 3, they will become the 16th opening partnership in 26 matches which highlights the indecision that has accompanied the top-order planning. The fact that neither have played a T20 international is a risk, but they impressed Flower when the England Lions beat the full team in Dubai in February and Kieswetter was immediately promoted to the ODI team.

"They're new to the team and they could bring a fearless element to the top of the order," Anderson told reporters ahead of the team's departure from Gatwick. "Michael's been out in the IPL so he's got a lot of Twenty20 experience and they could bring some excitement to the top of the order."

England have disappointed in the two World Twenty20 tournaments so far having failed to reach the semi-finals in both events but they have made good progress in recent times, drawing with South Africa and Pakistan during their recent tours. Anderson thinks this experience gives them confidence that they can succeed in the tournament.

"We go into every tournament thinking we can win it and wanting to win it," he said. "We had a good tour of Dubai and a good [ODI] series in Bangladesh so if we can gel together as a team I see no reason why we can't win it."

Having opted out of England's Bangladesh tour because of a long-standing knee problem, Anderson has played in both of Lancashire Championship wins at the start of the season, starring with nine wickets in the victory against Essex.

"It was good to get back into some cricket. The knee feels pretty good and excited to be going to the Caribbean," he said. "[Twenty20] is a non-stop game - you've got to be running round for three hours solid. I'm pretty confident the knee is going to be fine. I got through the Championship games without any pain."