World Cup Favourites England Cannot Afford to Freeze - Nasser Hussain

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain believes England cannot afford to freeze in the upcoming World Cup. England is firm favourites to lift the coveted trophy as they have played fearless cricket in the last three years. They have played at the top of their game since getting knocked out of the 2015 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Hussain believes England cannot afford an off day during the knockout stage in the multi-nation tournament. In fact, England had floundered against Pakistan in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2017 after they had won the first three league stage matches convincingly.

England is favorites.

Hussain believes England and India are going to be the most potent side in the World Cup.

‘They’re favourites and I reckon they’ll get through to the knockout stages,’ former England captain Hussain said.

‘But you look at the Champions Trophy where they got through to the semi-final at Cardiff and suddenly, against Pakistan, they just froze a little bit.

‘That’s going to be the key to this side, whether Eoin Morgan can set his side up not to freeze in a knockout game as favourites. I think they’re smarter now.

‘For me, the best two sides on paper are England and India but, as we saw with the Champions Trophy, so many sides could win this tournament.’

Meanwhile, England has eleven ODIs left before the ODI carnival begins in their home conditions. England is going to lock horns with the Windies in five-match ODI series.

Eoin Morgan has led the side with aplomb and he is not getting complacent with team’s performances. England is at the numero uno in the ICC ODI rankings and they have the team to go all the way in the World Cup.

On the other hand, England will be playing in their own conditions – with which their players are familiar. They have been relentless in the 50-overs version and they would aim to be at the top of their game to win their maiden World Cup.