James Kirtley believes that England can still make a big impact in the World Cup despite their false start to the tournament in South Africa.

England have been forfeited two points for refusing to play Zimbabwe in harare on Thursday after the ICC again ruled against the ECB's request to have the match moved to South Africa.

The cancellation of their opening match now means England start their Pool A campaign against minnows Holland, whose side will include Kirtley's Sussex team-mate Bas Zuiderent, in East London tomorrow.

Kirtley played in the VB Series either side of Christmas but was left out of the 15-man World Cup squad, although the Sussex fast bowler is on stand-by in case any of England's quicks suffer an injury.

He believes that even though England lost all six one-dayers against Australia they can still take a lot of positives into their World Cup campaign.

"I think as a squad we improved in all aspects of the game in Australia as the VB Series went on. Playing the best side in the world makes you do that," he said.

"Guys like McGrath, Gilchrist and Hayden make them a formidable outfit in all departments. They can attack throughout the match with the players they have got, but Sri Lanka beat them in Sydney and we came close a couple of times."

Kirtley played in the two VB Series openers against the hosts but was then overlooked in favour of Lancashire's James Anderson and Durham's Steve Harmison.

"It was disappointing the way things ended, but apart from the finals if I could have chosen two games to play in it would have been Sydney and Melbourne at the start, that was a fantastic experience and I learned a great deal.

"When I didn't play I was able to work on a couple of things with my action. The practice facilities there were great so I got a lot out of it.

"There are a lot of positives we can take into the World Cup. Even without the points from the Zimbabwe game I still think we can qualify for the Super Sixes, our confidence improved as we went on in Australia."

Kirtley has been told to keep himself in shape, should the call-up come, and is already back in the nets at Hove.

Sussex are to field an Academy/Development XI in the county's Premier League next season.

The team will be chosen from their Academy squad as well as others with development potential and all players will be aged under-23.

The games all take place on Sundays on opponents' grounds, starting against Chichester on May 11.