Anything less than outright victory this time will feel like failure after a stunning run of form in recent years built on the back of its power-packed batting line-up.
Four years ago, after it lost to Bangladesh in Adelaide to limp out of the last World Cup in the first round, few would have imagined England would enter this year’s tournament as favourite.
However, the transformation Eoin Morgan’s team has undergone since its humiliation in Australia and New Zealand has been dramatic.
Now it sits at No.1 in the ODI world rankings and, if it can handle the pressure, has its best chance of winning a 50-over World Cup.
Three times previously England has lost in the final of this tournament, the last in 1992 when it was beaten by Pakistan in Melbourne.
But anything less than outright victory this time will feel like failure after a stunning run of form in recent years built on the back of its power-packed batting line-up.
In Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, England possesses perhaps the most in-form opening partnership in ODI cricket. After the 4-0 series win against Pakistan on the eve of the tournament, the two players now have nine centuries between them in the past 14 months. They also have shared seven 100-plus stands in just 26 innings together and their average partnership is 64.42 at a run-rate of 7.20.
The bad news for England’s opponents is that once you get through the openers, you are then confronted by a succession of batsmen who are not only seasoned internationals, but some of the most explosive shot-makers the game has ever seen.
Joe Root, who comes in at No. 3, is perhaps the least dynamic of the top six, but he still averages above 50 in ODIs and has 14 centuries to his name.
This story is from the June 15, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 15, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.