Anderson backs 'fearless' openers Kieswetter and Lumb

Kieswetter hit a one-day century against Bangladesh in March

James Anderson has backed openers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb to inspire a "fearless" approach from England at the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20.

Kieswetter, who made his debut on the recent tour of Bangladesh, will team up with Lumb for the first time at senior international level in the Caribbean.

"They're new to the team and could bring a fearless element to the top of the order," said paceman Anderson.

"If we can gel together as a team, I see no reason why we can't win it."

The England squad flew off to Barbados on Sunday minus skipper Paul Collingwood, who is already in the Caribbean, and Kevin Pietersen, who only completed his Indian Premier League commitments the previous day and will join them later.

After beginning last year's tournament with an embarrassing defeat by The Netherlands at Lord's, England are eager to make a positive start.

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And Anderson believes that if the Kieswetter-Lumb partnership comes good, they will have a "great chance".

He said: "They are exciting players - I have seen a lot of them in Twenty20 cricket - and Michael has been out in the IPL so he's got a lot of Twenty20 experience and they both bring a lot of excitement to the top of the order.

"You have got to make the most of the first six overs and you need that element of fearlessness and they have got a fresher outlook because they have not been around the squad that long."

Anderson missed the tour to Bangladesh because of a knee problem, but he has been in good form for Lancashire at the start of the county season and is ready to shoulder the responsibility of being England's most experienced seam bowler.

"For me it was about getting some overs under my belt and testing the knee out to make sure it could stand up to bowling again," he said of his return.

"It has done that and now we can get out to the Caribbean and start thinking about Twenty20 cricket."

England will play warm-up games against Bangladesh and South Africa this week, before starting the tournament proper against hosts West Indies on 3 May.