Twenty20 World Cup / Andrew Hughes / 03 June 2009 /

Stats in this format don't make pretty reading for the hosts, nor does their record when hosting major tournaments. Which means there will need to be some superhuman efforts from the likes of Pietersen and Anderson if they are to go far this time round, says Andrew Hughes.

Let's be clear about this. England are an awful Twenty20 team. There are no official ICC Twenty20 rankings, but judged purely on percentage of wins, they are joint seventh in the world, alongside New Zealand. And England fans pinning their hopes on home advantage would do well to remember what happened when we hosted the 1999 World Cup. We went out in the first round. Still, if you are of an optimistic bent, you might conceivably compare England's new look and relatively inexperienced squad with the similarly untested and unfancied Indian team led by M S Dhoni which won the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007.

Key Batsman

Everyone knows about Kevin Pietersen and what he can do, but England's biggest problem in limited overs cricket has been the dearth of other batsmen able to hit the ball over the top. That's where Ravi Bopara comes in. He is likely to reprise the opening role he filled so successfully for the Kings XI Punjab and it is essential that he puts together some hard-hitting innings to take the pressure off Pietersen.

Key Bowler

A bits and pieces bowling attack will need to be at their absolute best to prevail. Key to their success will be the form of James Anderson. For so long the talented but wayward junior, in the absence of Andrew Flintoff, he now finds himself the senior bowler in the squad. He needs to get that prodigious swing working and to lead the line with a control and discipline he has hitherto lacked.

Captain

The last time that Paul Collingwood was made England captain, the effect was immediate. A dogged, determined cricketer, he managed to bring out these very qualities in his team, leading them to surprise series wins against India and Sri Lanka. A similar effect this time could give England the early momentum they need.

Conclusions

The way the tournament is constructed, Collingwood's men look likely to end up in a second round group with India and Australia and going strictly on form and ability, that is probably where their tournament will end. If they are to go further and defy their odds of [12.0] they will need to generate a strong team spirit to overcome their deficiencies and to field like tigers from first to last. It isn't impossible, but the smart money is on a brave but ultimately unsuccessful bid to make the semi-finals.

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