Newly-appointed director of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Ashley Giles believes that England can win the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and regain the Ashes 2019 on home soil this year.

He replaced Andrew Strauss last month after the former Test captain decided to quit the top role in a bid to support his late wife’s fight against cancer.

England has never won the World Cup, but the Three Lions have the best opportunity this time to make history, as they will be heading into the showpiece event with high confidence following the one-day series win over Sri Lanka, India, Australia, and New Zealand last year.

And Giles, former England spinner believes that must capitalize on their "best opportunity" to win a World Cup in 2019 and regain Ashes to be played in August at home.

Giles told BBC Sport, “I believe we can win the World Cup and the Ashes. This year creates probably the best opportunity for a long time. I think with World Cups we found ourselves, in the past, suddenly running into a bit of a meltdown or change – that’s not the case this time around.”

Meanwhile, the top ECB official said England looks in good form in the white-ball game at the moment, as they are currently top-ranked ODI side in the world and credited his predecessor’s efforts to improve the team’s standing in limited-overs cricket.

Giles signed off by saying, “I think the focus on white-ball cricket has been a real step change in what we do. I was involved from a coaching perspective in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and white ball played second fiddle to Test cricket. Andrew addressed that balance and the results are pretty clear. I know it must have been incredibly difficult to give up the role on the eve of a World Cup he’s worked so hard towards.”

(With BBC Sport Inputs)