ICC CWC 2019: Former England skipper offers strict critisism to England

XtraTime Web Desk: Former England skipper Naseer Hussain feels England now started to realise the difference between bilateral series and a big event like 2019 World Cup after their back to back defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia respectively.

The host faced third defeat in the tournament at Lord’s on Tuesday as they lost to Australia. They are finding it difficult to go through to the Semi Final with just two games reaming against in- form India and New Zealand as both of them remain unbeaten in the series so far.

“England are also finding out the difference between bi-lateral series and tournament play,” wrote Hussain in his column. He also wrote, “You face different sides with different strengths, going from the spin and unorthodox action of Lasith Malinga against Sri Lanka to the pace and swing of Australia in successive matches. And they haven’t coped with either.”

Former English skipper also criticised England fast bowlers as they bowled short to Aaron Finch and David Warner which allowed them to settle at the start. This Aussie duo scored 123 runs for the first wicket.

“England are not out of the World Cup yet but this leaves them very vulnerable.

“It was left to Australia in the form of the left-armers Starc and Behrendorff to show England how it should be done – pitch it up on a full length and get the batsmen coming forward to bring caught, bowled and lbw all into play.”

The 51-year-old said it was Australian pacers who adjusted to the conditions better than England’s fast bowling unit.

“Australia adjusted to conditions while England could not. They went with Behrendorff ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile and then handed him the new ball over Pat Cummins. They knew they needed someone to swing it into England’s pads and Behrendorff obliged.

“England, meanwhile, have gone with pace and hit the deck bowlers in this tournament and left out someone who pitches it up and tries to swing it in David Willey but you can’t tell me the likes of Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer cannot adjust.

Now if Pakistan manages to beat New Zealand on Wednesday, they will then fancy their chances against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. If everything goes according to Pakistan’s plan, England will have to beat India and New Zealand to qualify for the semifinals.

“We are talking about a clash against an India side at Edgbaston on Sunday on what is likely to be a turning pitch with the weather becoming hot. India are not invincible and are weaker for the loss of Shikhar Dhawan but that is still a very difficult task for England.

“As England captain, Morgan will have to tell his side that they are not out of this yet. He cannot change his ways and over-react to a defeat. But he will know this is a bad time to lose successive home games for the first time in four years.”