England and Australia on the brink

After a disastrous start to their Twenty20 World Cup, losing to Holland, England must beat Pakistan at the Oval to stay in the competition.

However, England are not the only team to have been shocked early on in the tournament. Australia were thumped by the West Indies in their opening game - as Chris Gayle put them to the sword with a blistering innings of 88.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Simon Wilde, Sunday Times: "English cricket has plumbed some pretty low depths in its time but defeat by Pakistan at The Oval this afternoon - and elimination from the World Twenty20 barely 48 hours into the tournament - would surely set a new level of ignominy that may not be beaten until the Afghans, or Eskimos, visit Lord's. "

Stephen Fay, Independent on Sunday: "Australia have been humiliated too. Yesterday they experienced the full force of Chris Gayle as the West Indies blasted their way to a seven-wicket win in only 15.5 overs. As England know, when this happens there is not much anyone can do about it, but the implications are highly significant. After England's defeat on Friday, both Ashes teams are now in grave danger of failing to qualify for the Super-8 stage of the World Twenty20 Cup."

Scyld Berry, Sunday Telegraph: "On Friday evening Ricky Ponting heard cheering in his hotel corridor. It was the sound of Australians celebrating England's defeat by the Netherlands. On Saturday night, after his team had been trounced every bit as humiliatingly by West Indies, Australia's captain had the grace to admit: 'We're in the same position now.' Australia have been drawn in the toughest group, and have to defeat Sri Lanka on Monday to qualify for the Super Eights." ·