England Cricket / Ralph Ellis / 21 June 2010 / 3

At least one England team has just won a World Cup - the cricketers. Now comes a One Day series against the Aussies. Betfair met David Lloyd and learned that Bumble fancies us to win that, and then go on to take the Ashes too...

Hi David, so England are the Twenty20 holders - what does that mean for the start of this series?
I don't think it means anything at all. It gives the players a load of confidence, or at least the ones that played in the West Indies, but 50 overs is totally different, and the last time we played this lot we got beaten 6-1. It's a much changed team, and I expect England to do well, but nothing to do with the World Twenty20

You mention changes, what's your view on the rotation policy?
I think it's terrific that we're looking at squad systems and picking the best players for each competition. It was a heck of a shock when Jimmy Anderson was left out of the T20 and he didn't play a game, but they won, so that was the right decision. To bring Andrew Strauss back now shows how keen they are to get him into the team as captain. I think it's really good from the selectors and crucially from the coach Andy Flower.

You like it, but do the players too?
It seems it's been explained fully to them, I guess that would be by Flower, that we are picking the best team for each competition, and the players have bought into that - whereas in the past you'd find that very difficult. If you go back 30 or 40 years we just picked the Test team to play in the one-dayers, now it's totally different. We are we are picking a team like all the others, and like Australia have done, specific for the 50 over game.

Craig Kieswetter is one who's forced his way from one form to the other...
He'll be pushing hard for a Test place too, but in one day cricket he fits, he's a piece of the jigsaw and he fits in at number one. If you look back England have been trying to get somebody to give it a crack there, and he looks like he could be the one. The strategy with Strauss is that he would look to pace the innings and bat through, but if you can get off to a flier that's what you want. They've tried everybody. You can go back to Ed Joyce, he opened the batting and scored a hundred out in Australia. Prior has had a go, Phil Mustard, they've tried everybody because they want somebody to give it a flier.

Are they right to bring back Strauss?
I certainly want him, but still accepting you need two dimensional players in one-day cricket and he's not, so he's got to do his one dimension well, he's got to score heavily. He should be able to play in every form, but he doesn't field wonderfully well and doesn't bowl, so he's got to get a lot of runs, he's got to score and score heavily to justify his place. There's pressure on him.

You mentioned getting spanked 6-1 last time, what will this Aussie team be like?
I think they are an ever changing team, particularly with the bowlers. They have a lot of injuries to the bowlers with Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson struggling and no Brett Lee, so they have got to bring some others, people like Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger and Nathan Hauritz will have to do the job and be functional. The main thrust with these guys is again a massive batting line-up.

The pressure is on our bowlers then?
And they'll handle it. I'm more than happy with England's bowling line-up. I think it's the batting that's always been a problem for England. We've got to score enough runs. We played wonderfully well in T20 and the buzzwords were 'no fear cricket'. In 50-overs many times we've been short of runs, we've got 250 when should have got 280, 280 when we should have got 300. They have to play with total no fear and no selfishness. I'm just telling you, in the past I know there's been selfishness in the team, where people have said I'll get some for me and then I'll get some for the team. Under Flower that's gone, he's a magnificent bloke, in the background, no nonsense, doesn't look for the limelight, and has a great rapport with the team and with Strauss.

Sounds like we could do with sending him to South Africa for the footballers
I've been involved with lots of teams as a coach and captain. You talk about team spirit and sometimes it's so elusive and you can relate that to any sort of business, any office, any workplace. If you get one bad egg you have a problem

How does all this relate to the Ashes then?
England will win that, they are a better team, simple as that. Get your money on England. It's a licence to print money.

If you're that convinced we've a free £50 bet in aid of a favourite charity to say thank you for your time
That's good news for Victim Support Manchester who will be my charity, because if we can get [4.0] for England to win the Ashes series that's nailed on, let's pile on to that.

*Start the Car: The World According to Bumble is published by HarperSport

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

(3)

1. David Knowles | 30 December 2010

   Are Victim Support still on for the winnings if England win the series 3-1 ? as it looks like they will. Many thanks

2. James Pacheco | 30 December 2010

   Yes, absolutely David. The scoreline doesn't matter. As long as England avoid defeat in Sydney, a cheque for £200 will be on its way to Victim Support.

   Jamie (Site Editor)

3. David Knowles | 10 January 2011

   Brilliant! £200 to Victim Support - Manchester. Thanks to Bumble and everyone at betfair.com

:

:

:

?

: