Former captain Alastair Cook believes England has an ‘outstanding chance’ to lift the World Cup on home soil, having built a squad full of proven match winners.
Ten teams will vie for the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup trophy
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“England has an outstanding chance,” Cook, who retired from international cricket last year, said. “This is first time going into a WC England has such a settled squad. Everything looks great from outside, it has every option covered.”
England failed to cope with raised expectations at the 2017 Champions Trophy when it lost to eventual winner Pakistan in the semi-finals. Cook stated such blips can only make a team mentally stronger.
Since the start of 2018, England has come out on top in bilateral ODI series against WC holder Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India.
“It had that blip at the (2017) Champions Trophy, but you need those lows to be able to grow as a side,” he added.
“It is a favourite. This is a great opportunity for Eoin and the guys to play some fantastic cricket. There are match winners throughout the squad, there are batsmen that can win games on their own. Over the last six or eight months, the bowling has really come on. I think England is going to win it.”
Eoin Morgan’s top-ranked side enters the tournament as the one of the most consistent teams in the format. Its quest for a first 50-overs title begins against South Africa at The Oval on May 30. Since its shock group stage exit from the 2015 edition, England has been particularly strong at home, winning 30 of its 42 ODIs, while losing only nine.
“England has an outstanding chance,” Cook, who retired from international cricket last year, said. “This is first time going into a WC England has such a settled squad. Everything looks great from outside, it has every option covered.”
England failed to cope with raised expectations at the 2017 Champions Trophy when it lost to eventual winner Pakistan in the semi-finals. Cook stated such blips can only make a team mentally stronger.
Since the start of 2018, England has come out on top in bilateral ODI series against WC holder Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India.
“It had that blip at the (2017) Champions Trophy, but you need those lows to be able to grow as a side,” he added.
“It is a favourite. This is a great opportunity for Eoin and the guys to play some fantastic cricket. There are match winners throughout the squad, there are batsmen that can win games on their own. Over the last six or eight months, the bowling has really come on. I think England is going to win it.”