Graeme Swann has backed the Eoin Morgan-led England team to lift the 2019 World Cup at Lord’s on July 14. The former off-spinner also reckons defending champions Australia are not in the same bracket as the hosts or two-time champions India.
Swann’s assessment came after observing the first two weeks of cricket in the ongoing showpiece event in UK.
“India were brilliant against Pakistan and they have every right to be up there in the betting, but I still fancy England to go all the way,” he told Betfair.
“Australia have been a little bit lucky so far – their batsmen play a little bit old-fashioned and they were bailed out by Mitchell Starc against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t put them in the same bracket as England or India. New Zealand are untested so far, playing all the easy sides and then seeing their clash with India rained off. They are not battle-hardened yet,” he added.
England have six points from four games. While the three lions defeated South Africa, Bangladesh and West Indies, they went down against Pakistan in their second match. On the other hand, Australia are leading the points table with four wins from five games whereas New Zealand and India are placed at second and third spots with seven points from four matches.
England will be expected to beat Afghanistan on Tuesday (June 18) but Swann wants the home team to make a statement in Manchester.
“Like just about everyone I’m expecting an England win against Afghanistan at Old Trafford but what I want to see is a ruthless one,” the former spinner said.
“Afghanistan, in World Cup terms, are the weak link. That’s not to say they are without talent, and I do think they have the potential to frighten a couple of teams. Certainly the openers will have their day against one or two bowling attacks and in Rashid Khan they have a world-class talent with the ball.”
“But I would be horrified if that happened against this England team. The worst thing you can do against weak opposition is to stop playing your natural game. The team that takes its foot off the gas – either through fear of failure or fear of destroying an opponent – will lose.
“England have to treat Afghanistan like they would Australia – that means staying proactive and playing their trademark attacking brand of cricket. ‘This is Afghanistan’s cup final so we must play hard – because they definitely will – and, trust me, they’re good enough to cause an upset. They don’t have the experience or depth to contend in the long run but they can certainly play,” he concluded.
