Veteran England cricketer-turned-commentator Geoffrey Boycott has hailed the 15-man squad recently announced for the impending 2019 World Cup. He also believes the Three Lions have stability in their line-up. He added the balanced squad is enough to bring laurels to the hosts, this time around.
Former England opener is convinced that England will give their best while having a strong batting –line-up.
Interestingly, Boycott himself has been the part of England team in 1979 when they lost the World Cup finale to the then giant cricketing force – Windies.
However, he followed the game as a prominent journalist which subsequently saw him finding enough reasons to say that England has their bases covered for the twelfth edition of the World Cup.
He remarked he had criticised his team when they didn’t fare well. Boycott stated he is not backing his team because of his countrymen, but he sees England doing remarkably well.
England stands a good chance to lay hands on the trophy:
Recently, the No.1 ranked team has thumped Pakistan 4-0 in the five-match ODI series.
“Please don’t think I have more confidence in England team this time because it is my country. I have criticized my team many times before. I’ll do that again when they make a mistake,”
The 78-year-old Boycott also believes like other Englishmen that England are firm favourites to lift their maiden title. He pointed out an all-important thing that England has gained enough experience to deliver in the toughest phases of the game.
“They have got a very good chance of winning the trophy this time. England are a balanced side. They have learnt to perform under pressure. This is the most important thing to win crunch matches,” Boycott told ToI.
Legendary batsman believes the weather will decide whether the ball will swing or not in England. However, he added there will be a hint of swing.
Interestingly, Boycott revealed he has suggested England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow’s name to one of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, but they didn’t turn up for him at the auction.
While effusively praising Bairstow, Boycott is confident in seeing former doing well at the World Cup.
“I proposed his name to one of the franchises in the IPL before the auction and they did not pick him. I am sure at the end of the IPL, they must be lamenting for not picking him. There is no doubt that Bairstow will do well in the World Cup as well. He is a fantastic cricketer with a good cricket brain,” Boycott said.
However, Sunrisers Hyderabad picked Bairstow, who scored 445 runs in 10 matches at an exceptional average of 55.62. He scored runs at the strike-rate of 157.24.
India is a top team: Boycott
While shedding light on Team India, Boycott reiterated the advantage for India has been their spinners accounting for wickets in the middle overs. He added India has a good bowling line-up with depth in their batting.
“Another top team. India’s plus point is that their spinners are taking wickets in the middle-overs which is vital for breaking partnerships. Like England, India also have a good bowling attack and splendid batting depth. It all depends on how the teams perform on the day of the match,” he concluded.
The World Cup will begin with hosts England facing South Africa in London on May 30.