Swann slams England’s World Cup chances
FORMER spinner Graeme Swann is adamant England have no chance of lifting next year’s World Cup and insists there needs to be a cull of players scarred by the negativity of previous regimes.
England’s one-day international against India at Bristol yesterday was washed out, with the second game in the five-match series taking place at Cardiff tomorrow.
Swann reckons the selectors need to adopt a braver mindset and pack the side with dynamic players.
“We won’t win this World Cup,” he said. “In four years’ time, we might have a chance if we get all the exciting players with none of the baggage of the old-style brand.”
Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales was due to make his one-day international debut at Nevil Road yesterday before rain intervened.
Hales is a regular in the T20 side and Swann believes the delay in exposing the 25-year-old to 50-over action is endemic of the problem blighting England’s progress.
Swann also believes skipper Alastair Cook should relinquish control of the one-day side and focus solely on Test-match cricket.
“Cook, Bell and Ballance are not players who will win you a World Cup,” added Swann. “Hales will, as will James Vince, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler.
“I love Cookie dearly but he’s not the guy who should be opening the batting for England, Vince should be doing it with Hales in a young vibrant team led by Morgan.”
England claimed a point in the ICC Women’s Championship after the third match of the one-day series with India at Lord’s was abandoned.
TOUR SCHEDULE
England’s fixtures with India
■ Wednesday, second ODI, Cardiff
■ Saturday, third ODI, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
■ Tuesday, 2 September, fourth ODI, Edgbaston, Birmingham
■ Friday, 5 September, fifth ODI, Headingley, Leeds
■ Sunday, 7 September, T20 international, Edgbaston, Birmingham