Cricket World Cup: Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson to star with England set to struggle, says Bob Willis

Bob Willis says Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson are the stand-out bowlers ahead of this year’s World Cup and is not sure he’s sold on England’s attack...

There should really be a health hazard warning about bowling in one-day cricket these days with the advent of Twenty20. And at this World Cup it’s vital that the new ball bowlers – with two new white balls – get some swing, otherwise they could disappear right from the word go.

The pitches will have pace and bounce but that will help the batsmen as much as the bowlers. They like the ball coming onto the bat and bowlers are going to have to be very accurate indeed not to concede boundaries, especially in the powerplays.

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Batsmen are now capable of hitting yorkers for four and bouncers for six but that should not discourage the bowlers – the fact remains that a blistering yorker right at the batsmen’s toes is still a very effective weapon. Lasith Malinga, on top form, is a terrific exponent of it – getting the ball to swing at that length as well – it’s very difficult to get him away.

It’s always better to bowl full in any case – better a low full toss than long hop. I think bowlers experiment too much with out-the-back-of-the-hand slower balls and slower-ball bouncers. I really do think there is a strong case for going back to basics, and trying that yorker as often as possible, especially towards the end of the innings.

There are two outstanding fast bowlers in world cricket right now – Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson. Morne Morkel might disagree with me but I don’t think there are any other, what I would call, fast bowlers on the scene currently.

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There are some excellent fast-medium bowlers around, but if you’re talking about out-and-out pace, then clearly those are the two names that leap forward – they’re exceptional and fantastic to watch – but I still believe spin will have an important role to play.

Quality spinners will always do a job. And personally I would like to see England pick James Tredwell as well as Moeen Ali. I don’t understand their reluctance to play him – sure the opposition batsmen will try to get after him, but he’s been a canny enough performer over the years to look after himself.

I’m not convinced by Chris Woakes. I know he took wickets in the West Indies warm-up game but I don’t understand all the hype around him. He went for nearly 100 against Australia in the tri-series final and I really do believe Tredwell is a better and more economical bowling option than him, or even Stuart Broad for that matter.

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Jimmy Anderson is a proven, quality, bowler. Broad is a proven wicket-taker – but he haemorrhages runs in 50-over cricket. You have to look at economy rates as well as wicket-taking potential in the one-day arena. There’s no point taking four or five wickets if you go for 80 runs in 10 overs.

Steven Finn is approaching his best again and it’s important he and Anderson have a good tournament - they're England's best seam-up bowlers and the most economical. They need to take wickets at the start – especially if Anderson can get the ball to swing – and end of the innings if England are to stand any chance at this World Cup.

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.