Cricket World Cup - India v England

We’re in full flow now, as one of the biggest games of the Cricket World Cup takes place as tournament favourites India take on England at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

There are several reasons why India will fancy their chances in their second World Cup match, against England. Home conditions will almost certainly help them, as should the fact that they have, on paper at least, a far more power-packed batting line-up.

Virender Sehwag - One of many brilliant Indian batsmen

 Their win against Bangladesh was a simple summing up of why they can win this World Cup – Truly awesome batting. India’s 370 against Bangladesh ended the game as contest, no mean feat playing against the co – hosts in the Shere Bangla Stadium. Sehwag (who scored 175) added 203 with Virat Kohli, who scored 100 not out on his World Cup debut as India racked up 370-4, and all of the above mentioned will fancy their chances of big scores again. Against some less than impressive England bowling (should they play anywhere near as badly as they did against the Netherlands) that’s a fearsome batting attack.

India’s bowling however, is less than impressive for a team of their all-round quality. Tamim Iqubal and Imrul Kayes made 56 before the loss of the first wicket and there were gaps of at least 30 runs between the next three wickets (2-129, 3-188 & 4-234), and for all that Bangladesh were taken out of the equation a score of 287 looks even bigger now Ireland gave them a huge scare on home turf on Friday.

Given their poor batting form in the Australia, it must be worrying that England’s bowling attack (along with their fielding, a strong point of theirs) looked truly awful. Even with a flat pitch and the expert hitting of Ryan Ten Doeschate, they managed to let Holland score 292 runs (even giving credit to the Dutch they got way too many chances). James Anderson seemed to have lost his bearings towards the end of the Dutch innings, as he and Stuart Broad bowled way too short, way too often.  The one key man for England is the world’s best spinner, Graeme Swann. He had a superb economy rate of 2.50 from his 10 overs when all around him were being hit across the park and he’s thoroughly capable of testing India again.

 Given that it’s been a weak point for a while, especially in ODI’s, it’ll have been a relief for Andy Flower than English batting saved the team's blushes against the Netherlands. Thanks to composed half-centuries from Andrew Strauss (who made 88) and Jonathan Trott, along with good solid double future knocks from Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood and Bopara to chase down the target. A similar, if not better performance will be needed against India but people shouldn’t be dismissive of the top and middle order, especially if a good start is made.

In what’s likely to turn into an all-out batting attack, India are the confident choice to see off England in a game which should play to their strengths.  They showed real class in hitting 370 against Bangladesh while England struggled to beat the Netherlands thanks to an abject bowling display, and while England shouldn’t be written off against a bowling attack lacking in firepower, there are more than enough weaknesses for India to use home advantage to gain a clear win.

Advice

3 pts India Highest Opening Partnership (4/5 Boylesports)

2 pts India -3.5 Wickets/29.5 Runs (5/6 Sportingbet)

2 pts Grame Swann top England Bowler (3/1 Sportingbet)