The chastening 6-1 defeat in the ODI series down under means that England enters the World Cup with concerns over form, fitness and fatigue. Their recent record in India where they will play all their matches does not bode well either. Nor does the struggle to beat Canada in their first warm-up match.
Nevertheless, prior to the marathon encounter with Australia, England’s ODI fortunes had been transformed since a surprisingly good showing in the Champions Trophy of 2009. So, which England will show up here – the hesitant side we’ve seen over the last six weeks or the shock and awe troops that won five series in a row before they faced Australia?
Strengths
Extremely resilient and well-led, England are unlikely to descend into the rabble they have at World Cups of recent vintage. If Pietersen regains his ODI mojo in his new role at the top of the order, then he could repeat his MVP feats of last year’s World T20 and there isn’t a better spinner on show than Swann.
Weaknesses
The absence of Morgan is a big loss as his innovative batting and ability against spin was likely to be a big weapon on the sub-continent. With England's adopted Irishman gone that leaves just KP amongst the batters with the capacity to provide the je ne sais quoi factor. On the bowling front, too many personnel are returning from injury and England lack a quality spin partner for Swann. The squad lacks depth with the selection of Wright and Tredwell effectively making it a 13 man party.
Main man
The pitches in Australia were deliberately prepared to nullify Graeme Swann, but that won’t be the case here, so expect plenty of wickets and excited tweets over the coming weeks from England’s most famous cat lover. Ravi Bopara has a point to prove too.
Look out for…
Wright and Tredwell fighting it out to be head drinks waiter – barring injury neither is likely to see much action.
Prediction
Third in the group with the odd wobble. Then the inevitable clash with Australia in the quarter-finals with England winning, before a semi-final with India proves a bridge too far.
Where next?
World Cup Team previews: Part 1 - India: Glory or effigies?
World Cup Team Previews: Part 2 - South Africa: Don't mention the 'C' word...
World Cup Team Previews: Part 3 - Bangladesh: Shock & Awe
World Cup Team Previews: Part 4 - West Indies: Calypso or Collapso?
Our XI to shine at the World Cup
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Swann would be my pick as well - seems like the strongest and most resilient of character in this English team.
TBH - England MIGHT spring in a surprise, but that 7 odi series has taken away the freshness of the team we witnessed during the Ashes. Of course, they did play crap cricket at times, but cmon, SEVEN odi's?? After which, they gotta fly half way across the world back home, and another few more thousand miles to India within a span of few weeks. Physically, sure, a few days rest and good to go, but only Swann gives me that vibe at any point that he's up for the challenge, mentally.
Posted by: AB | Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 13:31
Pieterson is a troop transport?
Anyway you guys are very brave to think you will beat the Aussies. You have the wood on us in test cricket but you just can't match us in this (dying) format.
Posted by: PEDRO | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 04:10
Doh! I meant to type MVP not MPV! Cheers Pedro. England were just warming up in the ODI series down under, if they come up against the Aussies in the WC there will be only one winner and they wont be wearing canary yellow!!
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 14:47
For once I agree with KP AB, the schedule handed to the England team was ridiculous. A three match ODI series and some time for the players to recuperate from a long trip back home with their families was what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately the English and Australian boards went for the greedy option and decided to play a seven match series. Englands chances of winning the WC were slim, now they are pretty much non-existent. That said I still think theyll beat the Aussies if they play them!
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 15:19