An Englishman, Stuart Robertson, may have given T20 cricket to the world and the first professional competition was played there, but the country’s relationship with the format still remains curious.
Traditions and trepidation has meant England have been left behind by the likes of India and Australia who have fully embraced T20 at domestic level and it has subsequently permeated through all aspects of the national game.
That said, a new generation of English cricketer is beginning to emerge, alongside the ECB’s acceptance of T20’s popularity, and they are slowly but surely beginning to have elements of a side who can produce consistently with bat and ball over 40 overs.
That all sounds slightly strange when you consider they were champions in 2010 but England’s T20 results since don’t make for particularly impressive reading: 23 wins, 23 defeats; with losing records against Australia (3-5), South Africa (1-4), Sri Lanka (1-3) and even the West Indies (3-4).
Excitement builds as #Eng head to the #WT20 https://t.co/9esxMU7oKG pic.twitter.com/elzoo1amli
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 7, 2016
Despite their talented individuals, expectations remain relatively low but what will be key is for Trevor Bayliss’ team to show development and progression from a wretched 2014 in which they bowed out at the Super 10 stage with just one win.
STRENGTHS
Some huge-hitters who can take games away from the opposition in the space of a few overs. Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan are all capable of monster scores and accelerating the run rate with an aggressive brand of cricket.
There is also a sense that this is one of the tightest England dressing rooms for years with most of the players around the same age and having developed together.
WEAKNESSES
For all their power at the crease, the bowling department won’t be striking much fear into opposition hearts. With Steve Finn injured, Chris Jordan looks to be England’s go-to man but Reece Topley and David Willey went wicketless in both matches against South Africa last month.
Last minute injections and refreshments before we go to the airport! #WT20 #WorldT20 #England pic.twitter.com/EZT2kdIZwa
— David Willey (@david_willey) March 7, 2016
England also don’t seem to have mastered all the tactical nuances of T20 cricket due to the simple fact they don’t concentrate on the format.
STARMAN
Ben Stokes
A fearsome bowler, dynamic batsman and brilliant fielder. There is nothing Stokes cannot do on the field. That said, he’s yet to fully transfer his wide range of skills from the Test arena to one-day and, in particular, T20 cricket. This could be the tournament when he bursts out and cements his status as the game’s best all-rounder. England will probably need him to as well.
SPORT360 VERDICT:
With South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and a qualifier, England are in the easiest of the two groups so should have realistic aspirations of progressing to the semi-finals. That is certainly achievable if the talent translates to consistent performances but this could be a tournament too soon for them and, based on current form, an early exit is probably more likely.
