WE’LL BREAK ODI DUCK, BOOMS COOK
ALASTAIR COOK is confident England can upset the odds against India today and finally deliver the country’s first global ODI trophy.
In 38 years of trying, England have so far endured 16 failed campaigns in World Cups and Champions Trophies.
Cook is the latest captain to try to get over the line as England seek to make it fifth time lucky in a world final.
And he is in no doubt his boys have it in them to break their duck at Edgbaston today. He said: “The day before a big final you can sense the excitement.
“The guys are raring to go. I’m fully confident that we can upset India.”
Cook and several of his ODI team- mates have other high- profile assignments on the horizon with the Ashes just around the corner.
Pressure
The England skipper also sees today’s game as an early warm- up for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
But he sees an overdue victory in a world tournament as a pressing priority in its own right.
“It is very important for us – one of our major goals this summer was to win the Champions Trophy,” Cook added.
“Not only will it break that duck of 38 years, it will also prepare us well for the World Cup, if you’re looking longer- term. In the last two games, when they’ve been under pressure, the lads have delivered two really excellent performances.
“I see no reason why we can’t have another one.”
Cook has respect but not fear for in- form India, who lost 4- 0 in Tests and 3- 0 in ODIs on their last trip to this country yet have won every match so far in this tournament.
“They’re unbeaten, and have played some very good cricket,” he warned.
“But our record against India last time we played them over here is great.
“We can certainly take a lot from that.”