Nothing but best for Eoin
WHETHER England carry the tag of pre-tournament favourites all the way to the start of the ICC Champions Trophy depends on how they get on against the world’s No 1 side over the next six days.
But captain Eoin Morgan demonstrated a growing confidence they might do that and more, describing the three-match series against South Africa, starting today at Headingley, as the “best preparation” possible.
“It is really exciting for us to be starting our prep in this series against one of the best sides in the world, one so full of accomplished players and experienced players,” said Morgan.
“And while it is going to be tough, I feel this is almost the best preparation for the Champions Trophy. We are looking for momentum and we would like to win games and win the series, but I think we can contend.”
There is both boldness and logic in tackling South Africa for all that when the series was arranged, the Proteas had yet to embark on a run of 12 ODI wins on the bounce – a run that included 5-0 clean sweeps against both Australia and Sri Lanka – which took them to the top of the rankings. It was a position they had not held since November 2014 and yet, whatever the ranking, South Africa have never been anything less than a formidable one-day unit.
In AB de Villiers, below, they have the best batsman in the world game in 50-over cricket – and that includes Steve Smith and Virat Kohli – and in Imran Tahir, they have arguably the most effective spinner. Yes, they have been weakened by the loss of a couple of key players – Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott – who chose to end their international careers for cash, signing Kolpak deals with Hampshire. But they bring good form, good players and a good vibe. They will provide stiff opposition. “It is important for us to focus on what we’re dealing with and not harp on about what we’ve lost,” said De Villiers. “This is a big series and we’ve no reason not to be confident. We’ve beaten Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand recently so we’re confident.”
England, too, have enjoyed a decent run since they left South Africa early last year having let slip a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2. They have won five of their six subsequent series, 15 of their 19 matches and consolidated fifth spot in the ICC rankings.
“We learned lessons from the South Africa series – you can lose a game but not lose a lesson,” said Morgan. “It is important we play the way we have done in the last two years because what we have done has worked.”
So much so that England are the current favourites. “I think it is a compliment,” said Morgan. “Our home form is very strong but we still have to beat the best in the world. This is the preparation we need. We need to play games that are must-win games, and to go in with that attitude and that determination is very important.”
England want to give everyone in the 15-man squad a chance to shine in the three matches so Jonny Bairstow and one from David Willey, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett could miss out at their home ground today.
England and South Africa will go at it again at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday then again at Lord’s next Monday. Such is the strength in depth of England’s squad that tinkering will not necessarily weaken – Bairstow or Sam Billings will hardly take anything away from a powerful top seven.
Morgan warned that he was going to take a left-field approach in the South Africa series and the Champions Trophy. “We will be trying to stay ahead of the batsman, trying to catch him off guard, especially when he’s in,” he said. “It’s something we haven’t done very well in the past but doing something obscure to try to get the batsman out when they’re in, I don’t mind at all. “It is the same with selection: we might pick two spinners at one venue and none for another.” JIMMY ANDERSON is out of Lancashire’s next County Championship match against Yorkshire on June 2 after scans confirmed he has a tear in his right groin. The fast bowler is targeting a return in time for England’s opening Test of the summer in the first week of July.