Graeme Swann feels England can clinch a 3rd T20 World Cup with “ultra-aggressive cricket” however acknowledged Saturday’s fixture with Australia already falls into the must-win class.
Rain got here out on high on Tuesday when England began their title defence with an deserted conflict with Scotland after solely 10 overs had been bowled in Bridgetown.
A sloppy show within the subject by England raised fears of one other underwhelming displaying after they crashed out of the 50-over World Cup within the group stage to extend scrutiny on captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott.
Development from Group B into the Tremendous 8 stage remains to be firmly within the fingers of England, who may doubtlessly lose to Australia and nonetheless end within the high two, however 2010 World Cup winner Swann urged the group to get again to what made them nice underneath ex-captain Eoin Morgan.
“I feel England can win it,” Swann advised The Cricket Paper.
“On paper they’re a really sturdy crew, arguably the strongest crew on the planet, however their performances within the 50-over World Cup has made everybody really feel a bit down about it.
“I feel they should neglect about that. It’s a totally different format. Go on the market, play ultra-aggressive cricket and beat the Aussies.
“Realistically if you happen to don’t win this sport, then you definately’re counting on different outcomes to go your approach and since it’s Australia, it’s a large sport for England.
“It’s a must-win sport and I feel it ought to encourage the crew. I hope they go into it with a really aggressive mindset and never tentative in any respect.
“I feel we had been tentative within the 50-over World Cup however we by no means had been underneath Eoin Morgan so I feel we have to get a little bit of that again.”
This event brings again good recollections for Swann after he helped England win the T20 World Cup within the Caribbean 14 years in the past.
Similarities will be drawn between the category of 2010 and Buttler’s present crop, in response to Swann.
He likened England’s explosive top-order to his previous team-mates of Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen, whereas Jofra Archer and Mark Wooden present risk with the ball like Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom did.
In leg-spinner Adil Rashid, England have the world’s greatest T20 bowler and Swann referred to as on the squad to play with a smile on their face over the subsequent month.
Swann added: “We received it in 2010 and I can let you know that was an incredible event. The primary ICC white-ball event that England had ever received and I’m very proud.
“It was wonderful to be part of and we are able to repeat that. This crew is arguably higher on paper than our crew had been.
“Sidebottom and Broad had been wonderful with the brand new ball and we did a job, me and Mikey Yardy, because the spinners within the center.
“Then our batters, Kieswetter, Pietersen and Lumb, that aggressive high three put us in a thoughts area that we had been successful each sport.
“As quickly as we bowled first, we knew we had been chasing something down and it was a really sturdy crew.
“I simply keep in mind enjoying with a large smile on my face right through.
“If I may give any recommendation to this England crew, it might be to go on the market and actually get pleasure from it. Play with a laissez-faire perspective virtually and with an enormous smile. I feel we’ll get the most effective out of them if we do this.”
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