Semi seems to be the hardest word

Semi-finals. The prize for winning is a shot at the big one, the trophy, overall victory, the championship. Fail at this stage though and no one remembers you. England's footballers have fallen at this vital stage in 2 major tournaments since 1990 - twice beaten by the necessary evil of a penalty shoot out. Fabio Capello says the semi-finals are the minimum for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa and it's the least England fans will accept when the tournament starts in less than a months time.

The semi-final at Italia '90 is my first memory of supporting England, the hope when Gary Lineker scored and the heartbreak when Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed their spot kicks. It's surely the cruelest stage to suffer such failings - the toughest to stomach when one looks back over the record books. Just ask Leicester City fans after last night's play-off pain.

It's for these reasons that England's thrashing of a strong Sri Lanka side in today's ICC World Twenty20 semi-final was so impressive. England's cricketers have been successful at the Test match format of the game for some time now, but their limited overs form has been patchy at best. Indeed the only success coming in last year's ICC Champions Trophy (guess where they lost though? - that's right, the semi-finals). Their success in this tournament has been low key in the media thus far, partly because of the announcement of England's provisional World Cup squad this week and partly because of Fulham's fantastic run in the Europa League, which sadly ended in final defeat last night (at least they made the final though).

Now is the time for Paul Collingwood's men to be saluted. They've been a unit throughout this competition, and especially in this one sided encounter against a talented but ageing Sri Lanka side (albeit the notable exception of Ryan Sidebottom's attitude towards his fielders whilst bowling - rightly chastised by Nasser Hussain during the live coverage). If England go on to win this tournament, they will be rightful champions - the only defeat coming against the West Indies in a Duckworth/Lewis affected game - having played superb cricket throughout, aggressive and attacking but tactically astute.

If England's footballers go on to make Capello's minimum target of a semi-final appearance this summer, we'll remember it in 20 years time with the same affection I regard the achievement of the late great Sir Bobby Robson et al. But lest we forget England's cricketers, who've already shown in Ashes success they are champions in their own field and come Sunday could be crowned World Champions. Sounds good doesn't it?