Cricket is a sport which never flows in one direction, it’s always up and down.
When Eoin Morgan’s team was knocked out of the World Cup a Year ago, no one predicted that England would play consistent cricket at a much higher level but the team haven’t lost a series in ODIs since.
England started their campaign against the World cup finalists New Zealand in June, and won the series 3-2. The dull and tedious squad clinched the series with no Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson or Steve Finn to dictate their bowling attack. They registered the highest English total of 408 against the blackcaps in Birmingham.
The fighting spirit shown by the youngsters was really sublime to watch.
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Next, they were up against the mighty Aussies, the champions of the world cricket. England demoralised one of the dominant performers that this sport has ever produced.
They grabbed the Ashes for the fourth consecutive time at home. They came up the best in shorter forms of the games and won the series with the same margin of 3-2. England proved the world they can beat anybody.
Their supremacy over their opponents hasn’t stopped there.
After losing the Test series against Pakistan, Morgan’s side played some terrific cricket to overcome their worst record against the sub-continental sides.
This was the first time that England won the away series against Pakistan. They won the T20 series 2-1.
England pursued their dominance in the away series against South Africa and won the Test series 2-1.
They shattered the African army by putting on 399 runs, their second highest total in eight months. The story was similar at Port Elizabeth. The AB de Villiers side couldn’t stop the brutal attack caused by Jos Buttler in both matches. England looks heavy favourites to clinch the fourth successive series.
With the World T20 less than a month away, England are placed in group B. Players like David Willey, Alex Hales and Adil Rashid deserved the place in the national team ahead of the experienced James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
When Paul Collingwood lead team won the world T20 in the Carribean, they weren’t strong favourites to lift the championship, but they registered their first World Cup victory.
The only problem is their poor record against the sides from the Sub Continent. They can however be comfortable against the struggling South Africans, who has a poor World Cup history, and the under-performing West Indies side.
One player who’s going to be integral in their set-up is the wicketkeeper batsmen Buttler. Buttler, who has been scoring runs quickly and finishing the matches with ease, is surely the man to watch out for. The likes of Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes are important for England’s chances of lifting the trophy for the second time.
They looks sweat, strong, stable and consistent, but will they repeat in India? Let’s wait and watch.
jammel
Guest
Agree on Santner - especially comment on calm yet competitive temperament. That's a pretty important quality to have! India are massive favourites, then the rest. But I'd go Australia 2nd and England 3rd in terms of favouritism (no Windies). And some of the bookmaking sites tend to agree.
Matth
Guest
West Indies have just shot themselves in the foot again, with a player dispute and possible strike action.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
India & Pakistan are the stand outs for me.
The Bush
Roar Guru
So I've read. South Africa and England are also highly rated by the bookies. Certainly when you see how successful Australian players have been in the IPL and the fact that we now personally boast the second best T20 comp in the world, it's mind boggling that we aren't more successful. Yet we just lost three nil at home, sure against the favourites, but Australia is usually a fortress. To be frank, I'd love to know how they come up with this stuff. We only played one T20I last year at all. What exactly is our recent form to suggest we're this good? When you think about it, change of captain, best bowler injured, best all rounder (Faulkner) badly out of form, brand new 'keeper - the bookies must have some great statistics to support that betting position.
ajay
Guest
And yet according to sports websites,newspapers,odds,etc Australia 2nd favourite after india.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I can't see any of those four doing well as they don't have the spinners to pull it off in India. I agree fully, it'll be India or the West Indies, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka performing well. If Australia goes anywhere in the tournament, it'll be off the back of scoring a mountain of runs. It's possible, but not a preferred method for winning tournaments.
Gnasher
Guest
Quinton de Kock is having a wow of a series against England. 10 centuries in 55 ODIs, youngest man to get to that mark, he'll be very dangerous in T20, though he'll need more help from his bowlers than he's getting.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hey Digger, Sodhi bowled really well against Australia and I'm a huge fan of wrist spinners in T20 cricket, they are great wicket taking options on all wickets and, obviously even moreso on Indian decks. I haven't seen Santner played T20 but what I've seen of him in other forms is extremely impressive - stacks of talent and a calm yet competitive temperament. He definitely looks like he can be a fine 3-format player. Pity he's out of the first Test.
Digby
Roar Guru
Your thoughts on Sodhi Ronan? I feel Santner and Sodhi can make us competitive in the sub continent? Would still agree that India are deserved favourites but I think we can give it a decent shake.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
England are a dramatically improved limited overs outfit but no way I'd have them as favourites for the World Cup on spinning decks in India. The hosts are clear favourites to me with the West Indies 2nd. Also, England did not beat Australia in their last ODI series...it was the Aussies who triumphed 3-2 England, Australia, NZ and SA all have strong batting lineups but none of them shape as having potent attacks in Indian conditions. Adil Rashid is the key for England...if he has a big tournament with the ball they might be able to threaten, but if he doesn't fire they're no chance of winning it.
ajay
Guest
Well interesting,check out odds, India and Australia firm favourites.I believe india,pa and Australia for sure.