Perhaps the show should not go on. But the fact is that it will go on, and for England today, the mundane task is to beat Kenya in the efficient manner expected of a Test-playing country facing minor opponents. In normal circumstances the result ought to be a foregone conclusion, their passage into the Super Eights assured.

But these are far from normal times, and since Bob Woolmer’s murder was confirmed on Thursday evening, the mood around the squad has been understandably sombre. If Michael Vaughan, the England captain, struggled for the right words yesterday then it can only be imagined how Ian Bell, a Warwickshire player, must be feeling.

While the ICC will be deeply annoyed that Vaughan has hinted at corruption being present in the game, it will be happier with his belief that a World Cup full of exciting cricket will be at least one tribute to a man with whom he was drinking in Jamaica after the opening ceremony less than a fortnight ago.

“It is an incredible circumstance brought upon the tournament,” Vaughan said. “All of us around the team are in complete shock. I hope it goes on to be an unbelievable event with great games and the best team winning, but whatever happens, everyone will always remember it for one thing, and rightly so.

“I do not think we will be able to move on because it is there, the inquiry is taking place. We will talk about what has happened and I will try to get a feel for the mentality of the players. I very much doubt any of them will be so emotional that they cannot play. I think they will all want to get out there and perform.”

News of Woolmer’s death coincided with the England game against Canada six days ago, but at the time — incredibly, with hindsight — it received less attention than the drinking escapades of the Friday night. Anyone still concerned about that sorry evening has had his perspective restored in the most gruesome way.

Vaughan has experienced first-hand this week the determination of Andrew Flintoff to atone for the Fredalo incident. “As you would expect, he bowled very quickly to me in the nets,” Vaughan said. “He looks in tremendous form and I would not be surprised if he comes up with a man-of-the-match performance.”

Flintoff is the only survivor in the England team from the single previous World Cup meeting, in Canterbury in 1999. On that occasion he was not required to bat or bowl; England won by nine wickets with 11 overs to spare. Vaughan, though, may have been there in spirit as well because it was a day when England relied on the basics.

“If we do that against a team like Kenya then I am sure we will be fine,” the captain said. “If we try to play with our egos and be clever then we might struggle.”

The biggest danger for England will be if they begin badly — which could easily happen if they are put in — and then feel so uptight about the criticism that would follow defeat that they are inhibited in their natural games. More than ever the onus is on the older players to set a confident tone.

Although they are far from being the quickest new-ball pair, Thomas Odoyo and Peter Ongondo are experienced players who will swing the ball away from the right-handers in the opening overs, while the three spinners, Jimmy Kamande, Steve Tikolo and Hiren Varaiya, will be aware of England’s problems in working the ball around.

Vaughan was pleased to discover that the pitch for the game between New Zealand and Canada on Thursday was slightly quicker.

There is also the possibility that the surface will be freshened at some stage. Few days over the past fortnight have passed without rain in the region and a couple of showers have been spectacular.

If England go for a straight swap then Flintoff will replace Ravi Bopara, but the Essex player took his opportunity against Canada and has a busyness and ambition in his cricket. Reverse sweeps and slower balls are all there in his armoury. As Vaughan may have said over their curry on Thursday night, it is knowing when to employ them.