London: Host nation? Check. The World No 1 ranked team? Check. Bookmakers’ favourite? Check. What could possibly go wrong for England at the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
Cricket’s land of origin, England has seen several glorious years of cricket in the past. However, since the establishment of the World Cup tournament in 1975, the team has not been able to lift the trophy. On the contrary, this year the speculations seem pretty promising for the team.
Four of the last five 400+ scores in ODI cricket have been scored by England, with Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler forming a formidable batting line-up. Since hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, England have won every bilateral series they have played.
Explosive batting line-up
On paper, England have the most destructive batting line-up in the world, littered with individuals capable of winning matches by themselves. There is so much power, with the likes of Jason Roy, Jos Butler, Jonny Bairstow and skipper Eoin Morgan able to clear the ropes with ease.
In Joe Root, though, England boast one of the best middle-order batsman in the world. He may not possess the raw hitting ability of his team-mates, Root he averages over 50 in the format and still strikes at better than a run a ball more often than not.
If Root provides a solid platform throughout the World Cup, he will give the rest the freedom to attack, and that is precisely what makes him so valuable.
If there is any identifiable weakness, it is the bowling attack - though Jofra Archer’s addition will key in that department. Regardless, if England can overcome their propensity to slip-up on the big one-day occasion, they can finally end their long wait for a World Cup win.
The pace attack including Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, all-rounder Ben Stokes and Tom Curran along with the spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, on the other hand, have done their jobs tremendously well!
England stands as favourites for the world cup win this time considering their No 1 ODI ranking as per the ICC and having the home advantage. However, the jinx of missing out on the World Cup must be thrown out of their possibility map if they’re thinking to win this edition of the World Cup.
