Back from a successful ASHES campaign in AUS, they failed miserably in ODI series (1-6 loss). Most of their key players got injured and still are. The ECB is to be blamed for scheduling a 7 match (too long) series that ended just 2 weeks before the world cup.
England’s batting is always going to be led by KP whenever he is in the team. Strauss, Trott etc offer excellent back up support – but Eng will miss the finishing touches of Morgan especially while chasing. P Collingwood is not in form so Eng may play an extra batsman in the team and depend on part time bowling services of Colly, KP, Trott and Bopara.
Their bowling which was the main reason why they won ASHES is pretty good. Eng would welcome back Broad who will continue to form the opening combination with Anderson. Shahzad in his brief career has shown that he has pace and variety in his bowling suited for ODI format. In Swann and Yardy they have 2 good spinners – 1 who tries to take wickets and the other who will try to contain runs and can bat a bit as well. Overall this England team is well balanced.
But I feel the Eng players will be drained after such a hard battle against Aus. The question is – do they have it in them to show the same tenacity they displayed during the ASHES ?? Can they add the ODI title to their T-20 they won last year ?
Strategy
• If Collingwood is not finding form, replace him with R Bopara
• May need to re-jig their batting order so that they have someone who can blast away at the end (since Morgan is no longer available)
Missing Out
• Owais Shah instead of Luke Wright (totally useless guy – go check his record for proof)
Strengths
• Swann is the best off-spinner in the world at the moment
• Pietersen can thrash any attack (reason why Eng won T-20 WC last year)
• J Trott is in form
Weaknesses
• Players will be weary and tired after a VERY VERY long Aus tour
• E Morgan is injured and out of World Cup
• Paul Collingwood is not in form
• Many of their players are injured after the long Aus tour
• Anderson can be vulnerable if ball doesn’t swing
Dark Horse / X-Factor
• K Pietersen
• A Strauss
My Take
• Semi Finals / Quarters
My Playing 11
• A Strauss, M Prior (wk), J Trott, K Pietersen, Ian Bell, P Collingwood, M Yardy, G Swann, S Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, J Anderson
Drinks
• T Bresnan, Luke Wright, R Bopara, J Tredwell
PS: As always, any comments/feedback will be highly appreciated.
England’s batting is always going to be led by KP whenever he is in the team. Strauss, Trott etc offer excellent back up support – but Eng will miss the finishing touches of Morgan especially while chasing. P Collingwood is not in form so Eng may play an extra batsman in the team and depend on part time bowling services of Colly, KP, Trott and Bopara.
Their bowling which was the main reason why they won ASHES is pretty good. Eng would welcome back Broad who will continue to form the opening combination with Anderson. Shahzad in his brief career has shown that he has pace and variety in his bowling suited for ODI format. In Swann and Yardy they have 2 good spinners – 1 who tries to take wickets and the other who will try to contain runs and can bat a bit as well. Overall this England team is well balanced.
But I feel the Eng players will be drained after such a hard battle against Aus. The question is – do they have it in them to show the same tenacity they displayed during the ASHES ?? Can they add the ODI title to their T-20 they won last year ?
Strategy
• If Collingwood is not finding form, replace him with R Bopara
• May need to re-jig their batting order so that they have someone who can blast away at the end (since Morgan is no longer available)
Missing Out
• Owais Shah instead of Luke Wright (totally useless guy – go check his record for proof)
Strengths
• Swann is the best off-spinner in the world at the moment
• Pietersen can thrash any attack (reason why Eng won T-20 WC last year)
• J Trott is in form
Weaknesses
• Players will be weary and tired after a VERY VERY long Aus tour
• E Morgan is injured and out of World Cup
• Paul Collingwood is not in form
• Many of their players are injured after the long Aus tour
• Anderson can be vulnerable if ball doesn’t swing
Dark Horse / X-Factor
• K Pietersen
• A Strauss
My Take
• Semi Finals / Quarters
My Playing 11
• A Strauss, M Prior (wk), J Trott, K Pietersen, Ian Bell, P Collingwood, M Yardy, G Swann, S Broad, Ajmal Shahzad, J Anderson
Drinks
• T Bresnan, Luke Wright, R Bopara, J Tredwell
PS: As always, any comments/feedback will be highly appreciated.
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