England can still take on the world, insists Colly
PAUL Collingwood is still confident Eoin Morgan’s England can become world-beaters on home soil in 2019, despite their failure at the semi-final stage in this summer’s Champions Trophy.
Morgan is the only survivor in England’s much-admired white-ball team from the one Collingwood led to this country’s only global trophy to date – at the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010.
There was growing optimism, after a flawless group campaign this month, England were at last about to add a maiden one-day international title at their 19th attempt since the first World Cup in 1975.
That will have to wait at least another two years after their untypically meek performance on a slow, used pitch in Cardiff on Wednesday, when they lost their last eight wickets for 83 runs before Pakistan coasted to victory to book their place in tomorrow’s final at The Oval, where they will face India. Durham skipper Collingwood, however, is not about to give up on a group of players he has seen at close quarters in his brief spells as part of the England coaching staff. Speaking while taking part in the final leg of broadcaster Jeff Stelling’s March for Men for Prostate Cancer UK, Collingwood reflected on England’s disappointing Champions Trophy exit but insisted they came up against opponents at the top of their game and are good enough to fare much better in their home World Cup in two years’ time. He said of England’s eight-wicket defeat in Wales: “Pakistan played like world-beaters and they deserved it. “That is what tournament play is all about, that is why it is so difficult to win these ICC tournaments. “I think we all realise that, whether England win or lose, they are playing very exciting cricket. “The batting lineup they have is as powerful as any in the world.”
Their prospects for 2019 therefore remain intact, he believes.
Collingwood added: “They have huge strength in depth as well. This will just be a learning experience because they definitely have the ability to win a World Cup.
“They probably have 15 or 16 players who could fit into this team and do a fantastic job.”
It was a shock England were not able to adapt to conditions which their conquerors exploited expertly, but Collingwood points out the winners deserve due credit.
He said: “Pakistan were fantastic with the ball and did not really allow England to show the power they have shown over the last two years.
“A lot of people have spoken about the pitch and a lot will say it was disappointing to be playing on it. That is out of England’s hands but you have to adapt, simple as that.”
Over the last 15 days Stelling has walked a marathon every day from Exeter City to Newcastle United, a 400-mile trek from one St James’ Park to another. To support his March for Men in support of Prostate Cancer UK visit www.marchformen.org.