What a world cup England are having. Hot blooded, exciting, adventurous, fabulous, breathtaking......Remember an adjective and place it here. It'd be apt for describing England's campaign. The story is similar:
1. Get a good start from top 3.
2. Fluff it up in the middle overs
3. Stage a recovery of some sort
4. Leak runs when bowling
5. Some wickets fall
6. When dead and seem dusted,somebody would nip a wicket and every body shall rally around him. Most often resulting in a win but not after providing sea saw of fortunes, heart breaking fights and in the end awing everybody.
Something of this sort was unimaginable to think of England teams of 90s (post 1992) and almost entire 2000s(except 2004). They took ODIs to be of least importance and considered appearing in world cups to be a mere formality. No wonder they went out miserably in every tournament. Since making the finals of 1992 world cup, they have crossed the first round only 2 times -- 1996 and 2007. They were kicked out in 2003 and 1999 (their own party).
This England team seems to be different. They have got solid top 3. Oh no, 2 of the top 3. Strauss and Trott. No KP now, Prior is forgettable. Bell is inconsistent. Collingwood is out of form and may be out of chances too. But then comes somebody who does a rescue act and poses a decent total on the board. Luke Wright against WI, Eoin Morgan against BD and Bopara against SA.
Bowling, they have their own Nehras, Munafs and of course they have match winners like Swann. They have their own share of Tredwells and Shehzads (had). All combined together they either fall short of winning when none expects them to lose or they win when everybody has given up.
Should England go through on Saturday evening in the Quarters (should SA win, everybody goes thru), they would be the team who would be tested the most in the knock outs and should be expected to play their A game in the quarters ownwards.
Should they lose, that would be too unfair for them. They deserve to reach at least semi-finals. Such has been the English story, who are now my 2nd fav team after India.
