England Preview

England’s World Cup record can be admirably summed up as a case of ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’, but despite a poor showing in the last tournament and a disappointing triangular series in Sharjah, this year’s competition certainly represents one of their best ever chances to lift that all too illusive trophy.

Much has been made of England’s purported home advantage and as hosts, the players should expect to exploit their local knowledge to the full with their recent Texaco Trophy record suggesting that there is indeed cause for optimism. However as long suffering England supporters know, this is a team which alternates between the sublime and the ridiculous with remarkable ease and while this squad certainly has the talent to lift the trophy, in the end, it is England’s fragile self-belief which could prove their sternest opponent. The players will need to discover the sense of team ethic, mental discipline and above all, consistency which has so often eluded them in the past and a convincing performance against Sri Lanka in the opening game at Lord’s will be critical in setting the tone and credibility of their World Cup challenge.

England are drawn in group A against Sri Lanka, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and India and play their games in that order. Their first goal will be qualification to the super six stage and they will hope to win against Sri Lanka in the opening game and then brush aside Kenya at Canterbury to get early points on the board. Joint favourites South Africa at the Oval will probably be their most difficult task, but they will expect to beat Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, before moving onto a final confrontation with India at Edgbaston. Barring any upsets against the two minnows Kenya and Zimbabwe, England must win at least two games to ensure they progress and results against the big three of Sri Lanka, South Africa and India will be crucial. Once the tournament enters the super six stage, England will have raise their game for the big occasion and remember that on their day they are capable of beating any side in the world.

Players to watch: On paper England’s top order batsmen certainly have a fine pedigree. Knight and Stewart are a potentially devastating opening combination, however the England skipper’s recent lack of form is obviously a concern and England will certainly need ‘the gaffer’ to lead from the front. Graeme Hick is rightly regarded as the great enigma of England’s batting, a forceful, supremely gifted stroke maker who has the ability to completely dominate an innings, yet he has never really managed to realise his potential on the international scene. Yet Hick’s ODI credentials are impeccable and if he has a good tournament, then England will surely prosper Expect the return of the two left handers, Surrey’s Graham Thorpe and Lancashire’s Neil Fairbrother to add much needed steel and flexibility to the middle order.

Of the all-rounders, the dynamic 21 year-old Andy Flintoff is one of the most exciting and hard-hitting batting prospects to emerge for many years and with recent fitness concerns addressed, his bowling also now has both pace and bite. Kent’s Mark Ealham is an experienced middle order batsman and canny medium pacer who will add weight to the late middle order, while ex-ODI-skipper Adam Hollioake has also regained some form with both bat and especially ball, after recovering from a back injury.

England’s bowling attack will be spearheaded by a world-class opener in Darren Gough with the hugely improved Alan Mullally adding some very welcome left-arm fast variation from the other end. There should be able support from the gutsy, indomitable Angus Fraser and Lancashire’s Ian Austin is a parsimonious, horses-for- courses selection who could prove the surprise package of the attack.

Statistics

• Team World Cup Records
• Team One-Day International Records
• England Statistics