England must target top spots in their World Cup group says Nasser Hussain
Tuesday 10 February 2015 19:58, UK
Nasser Hussain says England must not look to just qualify from their World Cup group, but target one of the top spots so they avoid a quarter-final against South Africa.
England are in Pool A along with tournament co-hosts, Australia and New Zealand, and Sri Lanka in what looks the stronger of the two groups.
They just need to finish above Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland to qualify, but a high finish would likely see them avoid South Africa from Pool B and instead face India – who they beat twice in their recent tri-series – Pakistan or West Indies.
“England have got a good chance at this World Cup because of the group they’re in,” said Hussain. “But they’ll have to avoid South Africa in the knockout stage.
“Although the biggest question mark obviously for South Africa is when it gets to the knockout stages, that ‘chokers’ tag is still with them and they’ll have to prove that wrong.
Walloped
“I think England just want to be playing anyone bar Australia at the moment, they play good cricket against anyone else – did well against India in the tri-series and they absolutely walloped the West Indies the other day.
Live Cricket World Cup 2015
“So they must try to finish high in the group to maybe play West Indies or Pakistan in a quarter-final.”
England do have to face Australia though in their first game of the World Cup and although they have lost 13 of their last 15 one-day internationals against them in Australia, their hosts do have injury concerns ahead of the encounter.
Captain Michael Clarke has only just recovered from hamstring surgery and hasn’t played in two months and James Faulkner – who averages 45.33 with the bat and 24.69 with the ball against England – is nursing a side strain.
“Clarke is a very good player,” said Hussain. “You’ve got to be a seriously good cricketing nation to say ‘oh well, we won’t miss Michael Clarke’.
“But he does have a body that falls apart on him, so the concern will be if halfway through a game he snaps a hamstring or his back goes, which is very likely I’m afraid in his condition.
“Faulkner – given his record against England – they will definitely be smiling if he misses out. He’s Australia’s finisher, so that’s a big blow for them if he misses out."
Intimidation
The two play each other on the opening day of the tournament at the MCG in Melbourne on Saturday in what is sure to be a match of high intensity.
Hussain certainly hopes that’s the case, even with news on Tuesday that the ICC has warned players that they will be suspended for excessive sledging during the World Cup.
“Some of the great battles in the history of cricket have come from a bit of intimidation, a bit of chat at the other end,” Hussain added. “I don’t think anyone wants to take that away from the game.
“But it’s the repeat offenders, the people who think it’s their role in the side to get under the skin of the opposition and constantly big themselves up – the ICC are right to come down on them, as long as they don’t go over the top. Much like the players.”
Watch each and every game of the ICC Cricket World Cup on our dedicated channel, Sky Sports World Cup, starting with New Zealand against Sri Lanka from 10pm on Friday 13 February.
Before then don’t miss our World Cup Preview Show, with Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, from 8pm on Friday on the same channel.
