Self-belief growing as Middleton leads way in India

Earlier this month, following a bomb attack in Pune, India, the 313 Brigade, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, warned that athletes and spectators attending the event would face "consequences".

The 12 leading nations, including England, are all in attendance hoping the threat does not become a reality.

England's captain is Barry Middleton, the Doncaster-born forward who has contested the last two Olympics and who plays his club hockey in Holland.

He led England to their first silverware in 21 years when they won the European Championships last summer and is hoping the next two weeks of the World Cup are about hockey and nothing else.

"We're excited now we're here, but it's been a bit worrying with all the problems we have been having," said the 26-year-old.

"It's prevented us from thinking about hockey as much as we need to.

"But once we got down to the stadium for the practice days and it was full of people, we could switch back onto the hockey and we now just want to get started."

England's start is a daunting one, against Champions Trophy holders Australia tomorrow.

Hosts India, four-time World Cup winners Pakistan and Olympic silver medallists Spain are also in England's group, while the opposite section is topped by two-time defending World Cup winners and Olympic champions Germany, who England defeated in last year's European Championship final.

"The Europeans gave us belief," said Middleton, who believes his team is maturing with age.

"Whereas in the past we weren't able to give teams a game, after the Euros all the other teams know it's going to be a really tough game against us.

"We also know how to play the big tournaments and have learnt that you don't always have to be at your best to beat the lesser teams.

"It will be pretty tough against Australia but if we get a win that would be the perfect start to get off to.

"The Aussies don't fear anyone but we have probably now got a bit more respect.

"We have a strong team, full of experienced guys who have been together for four or five years.

"And the younger players coming through are getting better and better.

"Winning the title would be great but we are realistic enough not to go around saying we are going to win the thing. We can make the semi-finals.

"If we don't it will not be the biggest disappointment in the world."

Sheffield-born Alastair Wilson is also in the squad.