2007 Cricket World Cup Squad Preview - England
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by user Alex Holowczak
| 2007 Cricket World Cup | |
| Australia | |
| Bangladesh | |
| Bermuda | |
| Canada | |
| England | |
| India | |
| Ireland | |
| Kenya | |
| Netherlands | |
| New Zealand | |
| Pakistan | |
| Scotland | |
| South Africa | |
| Sri Lanka | |
| West Indies | |
| Zimbabwe | |
England enter the 2007 Cricket World Cup with one of the best sides they have ever entered, and will hope they can win it for the first time.
They are drawn in a group with New Zealand, Canada and Kenya. The Kenya game will be crucial as they have a history of upsetting the Test nations. The New Zealand game looks like being the Group decider however.
Michael Vaughan
Type: Batsman (opener), Captain
Vaughan was one of the best batsmen in the world in 2001, but since then his form has dipped. He has struggled with injuries, and is only likely to be fit for the later stages of the World Cup. Vaughan has been out of form too, so whilst his captaincy is brilliant, his form is dodgy at best.
James Anderson
Type: Bowler
Anderson was excellent in 2003 as a replacement in the side. He came from nowhere to be one of England’s top bowlers. Beat off competition from Steve Harmsion and Matthew Hoggard for the place, so he has big shoes to fill.
Ian Bell
Type: Batsman
Bell has been a revelation in the last two years, and he deserves his place in this side. He will play a vital role at Number 3 in the lineup.
Ravinder Bopara
Type: All Rounder
A shock inclusion, Bopara has only ever played once for his country. Considering the people not picked, I think this is a dodgy pick. Still, he is an exciting player, and I am very happy to be wrong!
Paul Collingwood
Type: All Rounder
A batting all rounder that is key to England’s team. He scored two hundreds in three innings in Australia, and has been in form too with the ball. He is probably the best fielder in the world, and has become an automatic pick for the England side.
Jamie Dalrymple
Type: All Rounder
A “bits and pieces” player that England are fond of, Dalrymple offers a bit of batting, a bit of bowling, and some excellent fielding. He is capable of big things, and is key in the balance of the side.
Andrew Flintoff
Type: All Rounder
The best all-rounder in the world today. Flintoff will captain England early on in the tournament due to Vaughan’s injury. He is an aggressive batsman and a fast bowler, and can single-handedly win matches for England. If he performs to his best, expect England to go deep into the tournament.
Ed Joyce
Type: Batsman (opener)
An Irishman that qualifies for England through residence, Joyce was great in Australia, and could be a good find for England in this competition.
Jon Lewis
Type: Bowler
Lewis was overlooked for so long, but now at last gets his chance. A medium pacer though, he may struggle on the pace-friendly wickets of the Carribean.
Sajid Mahmood
Type: Bowler
An overrated fast bowler that is improving, Mahmood is likely to be a weak link in the England bowling attack. Needs to be in good form if England are to compete.
Paul Nixon
Type: Batsman, Wicketkeeper
After an excellent 2006 Domestic season, the 36 year old Nixon was drafted in to make his debut for the England side to keep wicket. He is England’s only proper ‘keeper selected, so his fitness is key to the team.
Monty Panesar
Type: Bowler
The first Sikh to play for England, Panesar has become England’s Number 1 spinner. He gets a lot of spin, and causes problems for batsmen. He is developing into a World Class spinner.
Kevin Pietersen
Type: Batsman
England’s best batsman is coming off a poor winter, but after missing the end of the One Day series in Australia, he should be fresh for the World Cup. In the Flintoff mould of all-out attack, he is capable of winning games with his bat.
Liam Plunkett
Type: Bowler
A lower order player drafted in prematurely due to injuries, Plunkett was showing signs of good form at the end of the One Day series in Australia. He needs to play well to help England’s cause.
Andrew Strauss
Type: Batsman (opener)
Strauss has dipped from his excellent early International career form. He has been struggling for form lately, but he could still play a big role in this tournament.
Strengths
- Renewed confidence after beating Australia
- Pietersen, Collingwood and Flintoff are proven match winners
Weaknesses
- Only selected one ‘keeper
- Bowling is liable to be expensive
- Nixon has underperformed with the bat
- Vaughan likely to be injured
- Missing Trescothick, Hoggard and Harmison – three top performers last year
- Bopara is a weak selection
Verdict
England have renewed confidence, but I don’t think they will win this competition. The Semi Finals will be as far as they can hope to get, but a more likely outcome is Super Eight elimination. Pietersen and Flintoff will need to carry the team like no team has been carried before if England are to win. Still, I can live in hope! England’s first task will be to avoid defeat to Kenya and Canada, since in the last two World Cups, England have been eliminated at the First Group Stage.
