"India are England's biggest rivals at World Cup 2019" : Sam Billings

[hadi123]

Ahead of their upcoming three-match ODI series, England’s Sam Billings believes India will pose the biggest threat to the hosts at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.

England and India kick off their three-match ODI series at Trent Bridge on Thursday, in what is a battle between the No. 1 and 2 ranked Men’s ODI sides respectively.

Billings, who has 15 ODI caps to his name, is well aware of the quality India will possess at next year’s Cricket World Cup.

“There’s a lot of very good teams, I think India will be a very strong side to beat, they’re always strong,” said Billings at the recent ‘World Cup Schools’ event.

“[They’re a] very adaptable side and have some very good players, so I’d put them down as England’s biggest rivals.”

Billings made his ODI debut in the wake of England’s disappointing performance at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Since then, he’s been part of a squad which has revolutionised the way England play white-ball cricket, and deservedly sit at the top of the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings.

“Over the last few years our one-day cricket has gone from strength to strength,” added Billings, who will be hoping to return to England’s line-up ahead of CWC19.

“The squad of players we’ve got have been incredible and will only get better. It’s a really exciting time.

“Of course you have to be optimistic, you have to be confident. If we play our best cricket then we’ll certainly be there or thereabouts [at CWC19], so it’ll be a great contest and hopefully a great tournament.”

England’s football team have created a buzz in the country in recent weeks thanks to their showing at the World Cup. Billings is hoping a home World Cup in 2019 can do the same for cricket.

“In our own home country, home field advantage, you see how the whole country reacts to when a sporting team does well, whether it be the rugby or the football, which is currently going on.

“You see the public movement towards it and it’s just great to see. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we’ll have the same movement towards the England cricket team next year and encourage some other kids and people to not only watch the cricket but play as well.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/783062

 

[the Great Khan]

lol..keep thinking like that and you will get tripped up by every other team too..A lot of hype around the big hitting England but I can see them coming a cropper in a pressure tournament when so much is at stake!!

 

[Mirpur express]

Lol aye rivals for 3rd spot

 

[Aman]

lol the arrogance.

Hope they get humbled in the group stages. I can see them losing a couple of matches due to their awful bowling.

 

[Aman]

lol..keep thinking like that and you will get tripped up by every other team too..A lot of hype around the big hitting England but I can see them coming a cropper in a pressure tournament when so much is at stake!!

I can see the likes of WI and SL beating them tbh. Same team lost to Scotland.

 

[the Great Khan]

I can see the likes of WI and SL beating them tbh. Same team lost to Scotland.

true..as usual England assuming they will be in the top tier just because of their bilateral record..they need to check what has happened in the past. They have had a decent bilateral record at various points but fail miserably in tournaments or reach a final and blow it..

 

[Noman]

true..as usual England assuming they will be in the top tier just because of their bilateral record..they need to check what has happened in the past. They have had a decent bilateral record at various points but fail miserably in tournaments or reach a final and blow it..

England bowling Line up is club level and batting is good When clicks vut playing under pressure and playing free style cricket is a High risk game. England might reach semi final but will not win the cup

 

[Sherlock]

Think England's biggest rival will be themselves.

 

[Bewal Express]

There is no doubt that Englands batting matches anyone for power and depth but the bowling is pretty average: They have no strike bowler, medium pacers that can be cannon fodder on flat wickets, and spinners that are on the whole pretty average. Ind will match Englands batting and have a much better bowling line-up, Pakistan will have a bowling line-up that is not that far from Ind bowling, but lack the quality and depth in the batting. Aus will be there and there about with genuine good seamers and a match winner in Warner( if he is picked), SA have no chance at all but NZ always surprise people at these tournaments.

 

[Mp812]

The IPL statement monitoring group has picked up this line and Sam Billiings IPL contract is being drafted

 

[saintgrace]

all jealous Pakistanis. icing on top.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

all jealous Pakistanis. icing on top.

What's there to be jealous of?

 

[Azzurri]

Honestly I don’t see why people think England have a chance to win the WC. I believe India is the team to beat in 2019 WC

 

[Robert]

lol the arrogance.

Hope they get humbled in the group stages. I can see them losing a couple of matches due to their awful bowling.

Not arrogance, confidence.

 

[Stewie]

Englandrarely do well in tournament settings... their overall record is witness to that. They made a lot of finals but fail to add the finishing touches. Not too much unlike SA.

 

[the Great Khan]

all jealous Pakistanis. icing on top.

Jealous? lol, England talk big before tournaments and then get smashed..we turn up and light a fire that generally makes the tournament more exciting..no other team can do that!!

 

[The_Odd_One]

You can't fix a choker.

 

[Savage]

There is nothing wrong in his statement.England are no 1 ranked ODI team and WC 2019 will be played at their home.England have every right to think they are favourite for WC.I don't see any arrogance in his statement.

 

[ManFan]

Not arrogance, confidence.

It’s confidence if you can back it up.

England has been notorious for bottling it up when it counts the most for longer than anyone can or care to remember.

 

[Savage]

Not arrogance, confidence.

This.

 

[ads101]

He's not wrong.

India and England are the only teams that seem to put out high team scores/300 on the board consistently in ODIs. In both teams basically their entire top 6 average around 40 or over with excellent strike rates. South Africa probably comes after these two and while a decent outfit, seem a bit behind these two in raw batting power, especially with AB's retirement and Amla's dip in form.

It's a batsman's game in all formats. In fact the format where bowling is most important is T20 cricket, and even then good batting is still more important. Which makes sense, more players in the team are picked for their batting, all XI bat compared to 5 who bowl.

I think a big advantage for Pakistan is that teams that are stronger than them haven't won a world cup before, e.g. England, South Africa. It's always harder to win your first, and pakistan has a better tournament cup winning history than those sides. Will be the same with Australia who will turn up as underdogs for once.

While we played well in the CT, a world cup is a different matter, and in both instances England and India posted low totals against us. While India and England have potential to chase 300 plus scores, often game is done if we're in the same position.

I expect us to reach top four with our team, and we have a good chance of winning it. But he's right England and India are the favourites and the teams to beat. More so India given how they've won world cups before.

 

[BlackShadow]

Jealous? lol, England talk big before tournaments and then get smashed..we turn up and light a fire that generally makes the tournament more exciting..no other team can do that!!

Tell me more about Pakistan lighting up tournaments. From 2003-2015, Pakistan didn't really light up a single World Cup. Speaking of Champion's trophy, last one was your best result. No one remembers what Pakistan did in the previous attempts. Or am I missing something?

 

[the Great Khan]

Tell me more about Pakistan lighting up tournaments. From 2003-2015, Pakistan didn't really light up a single World Cup. Speaking of Champion's trophy, last one was your best result. No one remembers what Pakistan did in the previous attempts. Or am I missing something?

Some notable tournament moves from Pakistan
1983 semis
1987 semis
1992 won
1997 world series winners
1999 finalists
2007 finalists
2009 won the tournament
2011 semi finalists
2010 semi finalists
2017 CT winners
went to just about every semi final going..and countless other tournaments that we have won since 1986.

But yeah you continue your trolling..or trying to put Pakistan down on a Pakistani forum..

 

[Stewie]

How many LOI trophies does England possess again?

 

[Stewie]

England cricket will always be about Ashes.. They can win a few Ashes series here and there but will always struggle to make it big in international tournaments. One reason for that is, of course, they are very very poor on the road.

 

[Syed1]

That's what the English thought in the CT as well

 

[BlackShadow]

1983 semis
1987 semis
1992 won
1997 world series winners
1999 finalists
2007 finalists
2009 won the tournament
2011 semi finalists
2010 semi finalists
2017 CT winners
went to just about every semi final going..and countless other tournaments that we have won since 1986.

But yeah you continue your trolling..or trying to put Pakistan down on a Pakistani forum..

I am the one trolling after you claimed this? -

We turn up and light a fire that generally makes the tournament more exciting..no other team can do that!!

I am simply calling out a lie, so I hope you stop accusing me of trolling or attempting to put Pakistan down.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He's just trying to hype the ODI series coming up. Nothing more to this. He's not completely wrong though. India and England have had impressive form in the last couple of years. But tournaments are a different ball game and England have historically been terrible in this format. No World Cup or Champions trophy win ever. Even SA have won 1 CT so it does reek of arrogance somewhat when you imply that you are favourites for the cup.

 

[the Great Khan]

I am the one trolling after you claimed this? -



I am simply calling out a lie, so I hope you stop accusing me of trolling or attempting to put Pakistan down.

why is it a lie? when Pakistan perform well in tournaments it brings real excitement to things..2009,2007,1992,2010...when we dont e.g. 2007, alot of tournaments just dont have that same magic..but of course India is the best and greatest bla blah blah,..

 

[BlackShadow]

why is it a lie? when Pakistan perform well in tournaments it brings real excitement to things..2009,2007,1992,2010...when we dont e.g. 2007, alot of tournaments just dont have that same magic..but of course India is the best and greatest bla blah blah,..

To be honest, this magic you talk about is just something Pakistani fans feel out of patriotism. Pakistan has failed in the last few T20 World Cups, and the "magic" part was taken care of by West Indies. In other tournaments, it has been India and Australia. Bangladesh fans would tell you that they were the magic in 2007 and 2015 World Cup, knocking out some of the favorites.

I guess it all comes down to personal bias, and for that reason i shouldn't have taken your statement so seriously. My bad, peace.

 

[Sachin136]

I can see the likes of WI and SL beating them tbh. Same team lost to Scotland.

The same team is ranked #1 in ODIs.

 

[Titan24]

To be honest, this magic you talk about is just something Pakistani fans feel out of patriotism. Pakistan has failed in the last few T20 World Cups, and the "magic" part was taken care of by West Indies. In other tournaments, it has been India and Australia. Bangladesh fans would tell you that they were the magic in 2007 and 2015 World Cup, knocking out some of the favorites.

I guess it all comes down to personal bias, and for that reason i shouldn't have taken your statement so seriously. My bad, peace.

We all know the reason of India's so called magic in ICC tournaments and its better to not get into those details.

However, India have won just one and was runner up in just one so much for lighting up the T20 tournaments after so much backing and role played by ICC to make the tournament earn more profit.

 

[Mamoon]

Not sure why people are crying.

India and England are the two best ODI teams in the world by some distance, and are naturally the two main favorites.

 

[JaDed]

When was the last time they reached KO stage in ODI WC?

 

[big_gamer007]

India won in 1983
Pakistan won in 1992

India won in 2007
Pakistan won in 2009

India won CT in 2013
Pakistan won CT in 2017

India won WC in 2011
Pakistan will win this one.

Mark my words this is Pakistan’s World Cup..

 

[Syed1]

India won in 1983
Pakistan won in 1992

India won in 2007
Pakistan won in 2009

India won CT in 2013
Pakistan won CT in 2017

India won WC in 2011
Pakistan will win this one.

Mark my words this is Pakistan’s World Cup..

Actually the more apt "prediction" is:


1983 - India
1987 - Australia
1992 - Pakistan


2011 - India
2015 - Australia
2019 - Pakistan????

 

[jnaveen1980]

With a bit of motivation and self belief NZ can win this one. They under value themselves and come a cropper in crucial stages.

 

[Stewie]

i wouldnt say its Pakistan's either. We are not very consistent in ODIs at the moment. Only time will tell where our team is placed .. possibly at the start of the WC but I would say India, obviously, NZ and SA will be the main contenders. England is strong and will be playing at home, so they will be up there but saying they are the hot favorites is debatable.

I think this one is India's to lose. Their team covers all the basis for a good ODI outfit.

 

[Rana]

Im pretty sure the ICC are taking note of the barren pitches that are being produced all around England and also the 2 new ball rule being a total nuance. I wouldnt be surprised if there is a chance to the 2 new ball rule and also if the ICC ensure the pitches offer equal opportunity to bowlers and Batsmen.

Im telling you now, England will not be the so called favourites if this is to happen

 

[Mp812]

India won in 1983
Pakistan won in 1992

India won in 2007
Pakistan won in 2009

India won CT in 2013
Pakistan won CT in 2017

India won WC in 2011
Pakistan will win this one.

Mark my words this is Pakistan’s World Cup..

Ok so looks like Pakistan follows India

 

[big_gamer007]

Actually the more apt "prediction" is:


1983 - India
1987 - Australia
1992 - Pakistan


2011 - India
2015 - Australia
2019 - Pakistan????

It seems like Pakistan needs a kick to win big tournaments.. They get that kick when India wins a big tournament and after a few year they level with India.

But yes Pakistan has as good a chance of winning this World Cup as any other team.

India, England and Pakistan are three favourites to win.

Australia always show up in World cups so you can’t count them out..

 

[cricketindiafan]

No way. In a 10 team WC where all teams play each other, Pakistan and NZ will be far bigger threats than us, Aus if their main pacers are available will be another strong contender.

The number 5 and 6 position with Raina and Dhoni will doom us.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Favorites IMO

Tier 1 (combined 60% chance) : England, Pakistan, Australia

Tier 2 (35%): NZ, SA, India

Tier 3 (5%): Sri Lanka, WI, Afghanistan, Bangladesh

Based on ability India should be in 1st tier but unfortunately we have become chokers these last 5 years or so. I think we will make it to the semis but get massacred at that stage.

 

[akki]

Favorites IMO

Tier 1 (combined 60% chance) : England, Pakistan, Australia

Tier 2 (35%): NZ, SA, India

Tier 3 (5%): Sri Lanka, WI, Afghanistan, Bangladesh

Based on ability India should be in 1st tier but unfortunately we have become chokers these last 5 years or so. I think we will make it to the semis but get massacred at that stage.

What makes you think that pakistan england are favourites ? For example pakistan reached at final of a tournament after 6 years in 2017 champions trophy . And india i dnt remember when was the last time we didn't reach finals or semi finals or won champions trophy in 2013 also i guess unbeaten.
I only appreciate people who bring facts and not opinions
. Else as per my opinion next year Nepal going to win the world cup

 

[akki]

I dnt know if india wins the cup or not but one thing I can bet is that India is going to massacre pakistani team in next year cup especially if we know saada munda kohli.khundas hogi jrur after that celebrations of champions trophy.
It would need miracles of miracles for pakistan to even think of beating india next year.

 

[jadaja]

India may or may not win the cup, but it is one of the top two sides. Any side can win world cup based one good week like Pakistan did in CT 2017. 1983 India won world cup but not the best side, they just had things going for them in that cup.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Good. Now we can catch them off guard.

 

[pratiktc]

With new format, World cup is about getting to semis and having 2 good days. On current form, India, England and New Zealand have the most balanced squads each with atleast 3-4 gun batsmen, established seamers and settled spin attacks. They will definitely make the semis.

Last spot will be a fight between Aus and SA. Pak will also be in mix, but if wkts are as flat as they are this summer, their seam bowling strength gets nullified. They might scalp one big team, but it is unlikely their archaic batting lineup will survive group stage. Unless they rapidly find 1-2 quality batsmen to backup Fakhar and Babar.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

It's weird as for all the other teams, I would rate India the hardest to beat. They have a balance of top-four might, death-bowling specialists and wrist-spin that is a formidable combination overall. Except for Pakistan. I feel like we have the bowling stocks that isn't about containing but taking out India's top order which is pretty much the only way to beat them.

On the other hand, I'm worried about us coming up against this England side, as apart from Fakhar I don't see us scoring fast enough to chase down big totals. Either ways, quietly confident going into the world cup.

 

[Swashbuckler]

What makes you think that pakistan england are favourites ? For example pakistan reached at final of a tournament after 6 years in 2017 champions trophy . And india i dnt remember when was the last time we didn't reach finals or semi finals or won champions trophy in 2013 also i guess unbeaten.
I only appreciate people who bring facts and not opinions
. Else as per my opinion next year Nepal going to win the world cup

England because they are playing at home and also a top team.
2011 Home team won
2015 Home team won

Pakistan because they play their best cricket in England, even 2009 WT20 they won in England, their 2 major victories in the last 10 years both came there. Besides a month before the main event England and Pakistan will play a 5 match ODI series on WC style pitches in England while other team's main players will be playing IPL on slow low pitches. So even in preparation these 2 have an edge.

India is consistent enough to make semis but after 2013 CT we have only choked and choked and choked near the finishing line of world tournaments.

I would be glad to proved wrong but I see many chinks in India's armor, especially our middle order and poor pace bowling depth. Also IPL will ensure our players are dead tired before WC, so we may run out of gas in the business end.

And I can have my opinion as I like on a public forum, for you Nepal may be a contender but unfortunately they haven't qualified for the WC. And why are you getting offended if someone rates Pakistan's chance above India's? It isn't a crime to have a different viewpoint from yours. Or is there a rule here that we must only praise India and bash Pakistan?

 

[Pete Rose]

He’s trying to talk up ther series and give it context. It’s expressed a bit clumsily, but few fans would doubt that England and India are serious contenders

 

[Syed1]

It's weird as for all the other teams, I would rate India the hardest to beat. They have a balance of top-four might, death-bowling specialists and wrist-spin that is a formidable combination overall. Except for Pakistan. I feel like we have the bowling stocks that isn't about containing but taking out India's top order which is pretty much the only way to beat them.

On the other hand, I'm worried about us coming up against this England side, as apart from Fakhar I don't see us scoring fast enough to chase down big totals. Either ways, quietly confident going into the world cup.

Against England we will play Shadab and a left-armer.


They will crawl their way to 250 max.

 

[saeed5646]

I dnt know if india wins the cup or not but one thing I can bet is that India is going to massacre pakistani team in next year cup especially if we know saada munda kohli.khundas hogi jrur after that celebrations of champions trophy.
It would need miracles of miracles for pakistan to even think of beating india next year.

With new format, World cup is about getting to semis and having 2 good days. On current form, India, England and New Zealand have the most balanced squads each with atleast 3-4 gun batsmen, established seamers and settled spin attacks. They will definitely make the semis.

Last spot will be a fight between Aus and SA. Pak will also be in mix, but if wkts are as flat as they are this summer, their seam bowling strength gets nullified. They might scalp one big team, but it is unlikely their archaic batting lineup will survive group stage. Unless they rapidly find 1-2 quality batsmen to backup Fakhar and Babar.

I like that good to see many indians don.t rate pakistan in 2019 worldcup.


Even with one of the worse batting line worldcup 2015 we did manage to reach quarter final .last time pak played in england 50 worldcup we were finalist and our good history in england will also favor us .i back our self to reach semfinal atleast.

 

[saeed5646]

England because they are playing at home and also a top team.
2011 Home team won
2015 Home team won

Pakistan because they play their best cricket in England, even 2009 WT20 they won in England, their 2 major victories in the last 10 years both came there. Besides a month before the main event England and Pakistan will play a 5 match ODI series on WC style pitches in England while other team's main players will be playing IPL on slow low pitches. So even in preparation these 2 have an edge.

India is consistent enough to make semis but after 2013 CT we have only choked and choked and choked near the finishing line of world tournaments.

I would be glad to proved wrong but I see many chinks in India's armor, especially our middle order and poor pace bowling depth. Also IPL will ensure our players are dead tired before WC, so we may run out of gas in the business end.

And I can have my opinion as I like on a public forum, for you Nepal may be a contender but unfortunately they haven't qualified for the WC. And why are you getting offended if someone rates Pakistan's chance above India's? It isn't a crime to have a different viewpoint from yours. Or is there a rule here that we must only praise India and bash Pakistan?

Good sensible post

 

[Darkrai]

Similar things were said about these two teams before CT but both got humiliated by the worst ranked team in the tournament.

 

[Greenstorm]

England can't win anything.

 

[Hawkeye]

Not sure why people are crying.

India and England are the two best ODI teams in the world by some distance, and are naturally the two main favorites.

It's amazing how some facts or even a personal opinion can trigger so many here.

Pak team needs a major overhaul; no hitters, can't play pace.

 

[Kroll]

He's right, India and England will be the favourites.

 

[Aman]

Not arrogance, confidence.

You're England, not Aus or India. Those teams can get away talking like this because they've actually won titles.

I stand by my statement of a humbling coming England's way in the WC. I for one cannot wait.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

We need an upswing this coming Worldcup and I'd ideally want that 'peaking factor' to start 1-2 games into the tournament.

We dominated the 1999 WC up until the final and then had the worst game of our lives when it mattered the most. Get that bad game out of the way during the early stages and then unleash the cornered tiger at the business end

 

[giri26]

Well that's his opinion and to be frank, 2019 is probably the best chance England have to win the cup in years, so no wonder they are confident/hopeful.

 

[B_Positive]

LOL, Perhaps he has forgotten Champions trophy where Pakistan thrashed both these so called rivals in Semis and Finals

 

[Robert]

It’s confidence if you can back it up.

England has been notorious for bottling it up when it counts the most for longer than anyone can or care to remember.

I don’t think so. Maybe in the Champion’s Trophy final. I can’t think of another time.

 

[Robert]

You're England, not Aus or India. Those teams can get away talking like this because they've actually won titles.

I stand by my statement of a humbling coming England's way in the WC. I for one cannot wait.

You hope for the misfortunes of others?

 

[Stewie]

I don’t think so. Maybe in the Champion’s Trophy final. I can’t think of another time.

World Cup final in 79, 87, 92...

 

[the Great Khan]

To be honest, this magic you talk about is just something Pakistani fans feel out of patriotism. Pakistan has failed in the last few T20 World Cups, and the "magic" part was taken care of by West Indies. In other tournaments, it has been India and Australia. Bangladesh fans would tell you that they were the magic in 2007 and 2015 World Cup, knocking out some of the favorites.

I guess it all comes down to personal bias, and for that reason i shouldn't have taken your statement so seriously. My bad, peace.

Actually im basing my comments on neutral observers. For example in 2009 when we won that tournament we had a record breaking performance from our main fast bowler, and nobody gave us a chance. Hence why the neutrals tend to start sitting up when Pakistan are on their game..you only have to read some of the articles from the england vs pakistan series of 2016...the push ups, the drama, the story behind a pakistan teams tour or tournament is always dramatic..

1992 we started slowly but we by the end we had a drama and a narrative, cornered tigers etc etc.
2009 when we won that one we were a pariah nation shunned by everyone as if the cricketers were the terrorists, but came from nowhere to smash everyone
and the recent CT performance, a lowly ranked team that just brought flair and drama to every match they played...

India have never done anything like that. Its normally , just normal cricket, sometimes quite standard boring stuff..all the batsman we know who will hit big generally do and well thats about it..yawn..other than 1983 India just generally bore us with their boring brand of batsman dominated cricket..chukka choaka, shout a few swear words while waving your bat in the air and try and show off your tiny 34 inch chests and all that...

 

[LastManstanding]

I like that good to see many indians don.t rate pakistan in 2019 worldcup.


Even with one of the worse batting line worldcup 2015 we did manage to reach quarter final .last time pak played in england 50 worldcup we were finalist and our good history in england will also favor us .i back our self to reach semfinal atleast.

Considering that top 8 teams were supposed to be in the quarter finals, and only upset was Bangladesh replacing England as one of the quarter finalist, I dont see whats there to gloat about.

 

[the Great Khan]

Considering that top 8 teams were supposed to be in the quarter finals, and only upset was Bangladesh replacing England as one of the quarter finalist, I dont see whats there to gloat about.

dont think he's gloating just saying..but I like it when Indians puff their chests..the air gets blown out pretty quickly at some point..

 

[LastManstanding]

dont think he's gloating just saying..but I like it when Indians puff their chests..the air gets blown out pretty quickly at some point..

That point comes way later of beating Pakistan in the world cups.

 

[Hasan123]

England and India are the favourites for the tournament . But that doesn't mean much. Look at 2017 CT. It's about who will handle the pressure and who turns up on the day.

England have yet to prove that. Despite their impressive LO run recently.

 

[the Great Khan]

That point comes way later of beating Pakistan in the world cups.

out of which only a true handful actually mattered..when it comes to finals India's record against us isnt great..

 

[UN talkz]

LoL statement
England and India don't even come under Rival category; forget about biggest rivals thing

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

India have been tagged as favorites in almost all ICC tournaments in the past 8 years or so. They are definitely strong but I highly doubt they will go on to win the trophy. They are on the upside as long as other teams haven't figured out their spinners. We already saw what happened to Yadav in thr 2nd t20 when he got figured out by the Englishmen. There batting is still what will win them games next year.

 

[giri26]

India have been tagged as favorites in almost all ICC tournaments in the past 8 years or so. They are definitely strong but I highly doubt they will go on to win the trophy. They are on the upside as long as other teams haven't figured out their spinners. We already saw what happened to Yadav in thr 2nd t20 when he got figured out by the Englishmen. There batting is still what will win them games next year.

India might not win but they will be one of the 4 teams making the knockouts all the time. This is what gives them the edge. Once you are in the knockouts, anything can happen. The consistency is the reason people put India as one of the favourites in their predictions.

 

[The_Odd_One]

With this bowling attack, England cannot win WC.

 

[Sam99]

With this bowling attack, England cannot win WC.

Leave winning i doubt they can even qualify for finals.

 

[MenInG]

One man show at the moment by Billings - can he take England to victory?

 

[MenInG]

One man show at the moment by Billings - can he take England to victory?

Brilliant performance - albeit in a losing cause - last man out on 118 in the 1st ODI vs Australia

 

[Firebat]

MORGAN was elated at Billings' century and says the Kent man has added much-needed depth in the middle order...

"Sam’s opportunities have been extremely limited, sporadic at times, so to still come in, show desire in his training, contribute to a couple of wins against Ireland and then to come in and have his maiden hundred here is outstanding. It shows a lot of resilience and a lot of character. It adds [strength], particularly in that position at No 6. When Stokes is missing he leaves a big hole. We tend to have players who bat in the top four for their counties so we need to improve depth at five and six and Sam added to that today."