An Eye to the World Cup

So, the ODI series has gotten underway and CricketChicks can’t help remembering what happened the last time England played a one day series straight after winning the Ashes in 2009. Yes, that’s right, they lost (or to be more precise, they were humiliated) 6-1. Looking at events in Melbourne a couple of days ago, the same sort of scoreline is possible, though one would have to say unlikely. In the shorter format of the game Australia look a better side. They have a solid and rather rapid pace attack with Brett Lee (even though he is 34 now) and the possibility of Shaun Tait. The batting doesn’t look to bad either. As while Shane Watson is a make-shift Test opener, he is a genuine one day opener. A powerful hitter, who plays predominantly straight of the wicket, Watson showed just what he was capable of on Sunday with a brilliant 166 not out. The highest one day score for an Australian against England. What was even more fitting about his achievement, is that he comes from Ipswich; the Brisbane town devastated by the floods. His innings at least gave them something to cheer about.

How long Australia’s winning streak will continue, however, is uncertain. As while Australia do look a better ODI side and are still currently ranked number one in the world, England are more than a fair match. The narrowness of the victory (and the closeness of the twenty20 games) proves that these two sides are more than compatible; with more narrow victories likely to follow. What let England down in the first game was some indiscipline bowling. Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shazad simply gave away too many runs at the death - full tosses and no-balls are no no’s in ODI cricket. In all likelihood though, if England had the side they would have liked to have picked (both Stuart Broad and James Anderson being absent) they wouldn’t have been in that position and England may have sneaked a victory. However, they also could have done with their batters getting a few more runs. With the start Andrew Strauss and Steve Davies got them off to (backed up superbly by KP) England should have made 320/340. Yet, too many batsman came and went. The dropping of Paul Collingwood was also an interesting move. One, however, that didn’t pay off for me. He may be having a torrid time with the bat, but he is indispensable in the filed and with the ball in ODI cricket. Maybe he does need some rest, as Strauss explained but I would like to see Colly back sooner rather than later. Especially, as he could be a key player for England in the World Cup.

Talking of the World Cup, the squads have to be announced by Wednesday. So, CricketChicks thought they’d share who they would take on the plane.

CricketChicks 15 Man World Cup Squad :-

1) Andrew Strauss
2) Steve Davies
3) Jonathon Trott
4) Kevin Pietersen
5) Paul Collingwood
6) Ian Bell
7) Eoin Morgan
8) Ravi Bopara
9) Graeme Swann
10) Michael Yardy
11) James Tredwell
12) James Anderson
13) Stuart Broad
14) Tim Bresnan
15) Ajmal Shazad