England need to beat 'big side': Woakes

England need to beat a "big side" such as Sri Lanka if they are to get their World Cup campaign up and running, paceman Chris Woakes says.

Eoin Morgan's side face Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, in Wellington on Sunday with the team still looking for their first Pool A win over a Test side this tournament.

England started the World Cup with a 111-run thrashing by arch-rivals Australia in Melbourne and things got even worse when they suffered an eight-wicket defeat by New Zealand, the other tournament co-hosts, when they last played in Wellington.

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Allrounder Moeen Ali scored a ton in the win against Scotland // Getty Images

They eventually kickstarted their push for the quarter-finals when they beat non-Test nation Scotland by 119 runs.

With group games against perennial strugglers Bangladesh and tournament newcomers Afghanistan to come, England could qualify for the quarter-finals without defeating a major side given four teams out of the seven in Pool A will head into the knockout phase.

But Woakes believes a win over Sri Lanka at the Westpac will do wonders for England's self-belief.

"It's important that we do show up against the big teams," said Woakes.

"You know, obviously tomorrow is a big game having already lost two in the tournament already. Sri Lanka are a good side, so we know we've got to be on our game.

"We want to get through to the quarter-finals and you're going to have to beat big teams on the way. Tomorrow is obviously a big opportunity for us."

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God save the Queen - England players singing the anthem before the match against Scotland // Getty Images

Woakes is England's leading bowler at the tournament so far, with five wickets in three matches at an average of under 20.

Last week, England were dismissed for just 123 in under 34 overs by New Zealand, with Tim Southee taking seven for 33.

Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum then struck the fastest-ever World Cup fifty, off 18 balls, as England raced to their meagre target in 12.2 overs.