Group B
Preview
England versus Netherlands
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Start Time: 14:30 (IST)
The three games in the world cup so far featuring minnows against heavyweights have turned out to be lop-sided affairs with lesser known teams mauled by stronger teams.
Netherland’s group B game against well established England at Nagpur has a potential to be a similar kind of show.
Netherland, however, would be keen to save themselves from the embarrassment other Associate Nation members have gone through and put up a fighting show against their opponents.
Their European neighbours will be having different things altogether on min when they turn up on Tuesday hoping to win comprehensively and see where they stand in their world campaign.
England
After a triumph in T-20 world cup, test and ODI series win against Pakistan at home and thumping ashes win down under, England looked a team shaping up nicely in its build up to the world cup. England, all of a sudden, looked a limited overs outfit to be reckoned with. There was loads of positive energy among the players, captain and coaching staff, as everyone was upbeat about the England’s prospects at the world cup.
Their surge was punctured with Australia handing over them a 6-1 drubbing in recently concluded ODI series down under and lost key players before and during the course of the series.
All those players except Eoin Morgan are fit and this England outfit seems to be the best it has fielded in world cup in last five editions.
Tactically England score over many top sides in the tournament thanks to the no nonsense kind of presence of their coach, Andy Flower who has already come up decision that will see Kevin Peterson open the innings.
This means Matt Prior will be batting at a lower order and his role will be that of a finisher that England were deprived due to an injury to Morgan.
Peterson will keen to make mark opening batting and his solid contribution would mean a breathing space to batsmen like Ian Bell, Trott and Straus who like to take some to settle.
All of batters would want to score big against a rather inexperienced bowling attack.
It will be difficult to score against English Bowling unit which comprises world best off-spinner Graeme Swann, world class new ball bowler in Jimmy Anderson and in-form Stuart Broad.
In Ajmal Shahzad, they have the bowler who can reverse it at the pace, certainly a good addition to the squad on sub-continent pitches.
Tim Bresnan has been a revelation. Few years ago, he was no more than a bits and pieces player but off late has emerged as one of the better limited overs bowlers in the UK.
Yardy and Collingwood will roll their arms in the middle to keep a lid on scoring rate.
The Squad: Andrew Strauss (Capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell Tim Bresnan Stuart Broad , Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara , Kevin Petersen, Matt Prior (wk), Ajmal Shahzad Graeme Swann, James Tredwell , Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright Michael Yardy.
Coach: Andy Flower
Netherlands
Yet to beat an ICC full member country, Netherlands will have a tough task against England to stop their neighbours from battering them.
There are some fine players in this Netherland side who can be a treat to watch when in full flow.
Most prominent one is their all-rounder, ICC’s best Associate Members player in two consecutive years, in Ten Doeschate and a globe trotter when it comes to playing at different twenty-twenty leagues in the world, Ten Doeschate will know a good show against strong English side will only enhance his reputation.
South Australian Tom Cooper is also a valuable addition to the team. He can use his experience at South Australia should lift the boys for the challenge.
Not many among the Netherland players are professional cricketers and the opportunity to play ion world cup and rub shoulders with top players has its worth weight in gold.
The Squad: Peter Borren (Capt), Adeel Raja, Tom Cooper, Ten Doeschate, Alex Kerveeze, Eric Scwarczyncki, Tom de Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Bernard Loots, Bradley Kruger, Muddasir Bukhari, Peter Seeilar, Berend Westjidk, Atse Buurmen, Wesley Barreesi .
Coach: Peter Drinen
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