World Cup '99

In Cricket , the home team is always supposed to be at an advantage , but not so according to World Cup history ; If we disclude Sri Lanka , since they played only two matches on home soil in '96 the home tean has never taken away the cup. Maybe beacuse crowd expectations and geriatics add to the already existing pressure. Whatever be the situation , England are going to strike when its hot. They've been into the finals thrice and have a success rate of over 60% , but have never clinched the title.
The current English team in the words of Geoffery Boycott is made up of too many bits and pieces cricketers. Everyone except Stewart, Thorpe and Atherton bowls and everyone except Mullaly can bat !
A lot of their success will depend upon Captain,Wicketkeeper and Opening batsman Alec Stewart. Alec has a wealth of experience behind him ,but is unfortunately going through a lean patch. Meanwhile Graham Thorpe is out of a forced hibernation due to injury and is looking ominous for any opposition. Hick has always held a lot of promise and seems to get better with every outing.Nick Knight is a devastating opening batsman , who somehow lacks the temperament for a long inning. Darren Gough is the second most dynamic player England have seen (after Beefy ofcourse !) and his reverse swinging yorkers at the death can cause a lot of problems. Fairbrother , Atherton,Hollioke and the other batsman can all contribute. Gus Fraser and Mullaly are absolutely stingy and should utilise the weather conditions to their liking. Vince , Ian and the rest can bowl decently well. To summarise Englands main strenght is the availibility of options and maybe home advantage ...

The Team is as follows

Alec Stewart (captain;wk)	Nick Knight
Graham Thorpe	Robert Croft
Graeme Hick	Vince Wells
Michael Atherton	Darren Gough
Neil Fairbrother	Ian Austin
Adam Hollioke	Angus Fraser
Mark Eahlam	Alan Mullaly
Andrew Flintoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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