Paul Farbrace knows a thing or two about winning limited-overs tournaments having last year claimed both the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 titles during his short spell in charge of Sri Lanka.

As an ardent Chelsea supporter, England’s assistant coach was also given a sharp reminder as to the vagaries of knockout sporting competitions when he awoke last Sunday to find out the Premier League leaders had lost 4-2 at home to League One Bradford City, the most seismic upset of an shock-strewn FA Cup fourth round.

That’s why Farbrace is ignoring the naysayers predicting imminent doom for England at the World Cup, instead preaching the mantra of all outsiders at major tournaments – get to the knockout stages and anything can happen.

England face a test of their survival instincts on Friday when they take on India in Perth, a game that is effectively a semi-final in this Tri-Series given the winner will progress to the final against Australia. It will be a useful dry run ahead of England’s World Cup campaign, which starts against the Australians in Melbourne on 14 February and, barring a complete collapse of form, should see them at least reach the quarter-finals.

“I wouldn’t sit here now and say we’re going to win the World Cup,” said Farbrace, who took over as England coach Peter Moores’ No2 last April. “What I would say is if you get through to the knockout stages anything is possible.

“The aim is to get to the quarter-final and once you do then literally anything can happen. The fact people have said we’ve got no chance and written us off, well that’s got nothing to do with us. People can say what they want. We know we’re improving all the time, we know we’re working really hard and we want to give ourselves the best chance we possibly can.

“I’d be foolish to say we’re developing that well we’re going to win the World Cup. But I do think there’s a lot of signs of really exciting progression. There’s three games of knockout [in the World Cup] once you get to that quarter-final. That’s why Friday’s such a great opportunity to put the boys under real pressure in a semi-final game.”

Having worked closely with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene during his time in Sri Lanka, Farbrace is well attuned to what makes a world-class batsman. And in Ian Bell he sees comparable talent to the Sri Lankan greats, both of whom will retire from one-day international cricket after the World Cup.

Bell has passed 50 in four of his five innings on this tour so far after being promoted back up to opener, including two centuries, the most recent a peerless 141 against Australia in last Friday’s Tri-Series match in Hobart.

“When I was with the Sri Lankans they used to talk about Ian Bell as one of the best players in the world,” said Farbrace. “Sanga is a huge admirer of Ian Bell. He played with him a bit at Warwickshire a few years ago and he’s always been a big admirer of Belly and was always asking questions about him.

“That’s something we tend to forget sometimes – we do have high-quality players in our team. Belly is right up there and as good as anybody. His innings in Hobart was right up there, it was as good as any one-day innings you’re likely to see. He’s given us that real stability at the top of the innings.”

Two other players in England’s touring party also ranked among the best in the world are James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The pair are both returning from injuries but Farbrace says England’s two most senior bowlers are close to being back to their best. “They’re not far away,” he says. “I think every game they play helps. They both had quite a long break. Also this is the first time Broady has played one-day cricket since I’ve been involved. To have him back in is a big boost to the team and he gives us so any more bowling options. Jimmy and Broady give you that real quality.”

Steven Finn is also getting back to his best, his five-wicket haul on a bouncy Gabba pitch setting up England’s victory against India in Brisbane last Tuesday. With Chris Woakes also playing well, Farbrace believes a bowling attack that is finally looking settled will relish being let loose against India on another bouncy deck at the Waca on Friday.

“In a sense, the Gabba and here are the best two grounds to play India,” he said. “I think the bowlers will be excited at running in here – we watched the T20 semi-final [between Perth and Melbourne] here two days ago and it was exciting to watch the ball flying through.”