The contenders: England

England arrive for the 2011 edition of the World Cup on the back of one of their best years recently. It started with them finally winning a world title when they bagged the T20 trophy in the West Indies. That was followed by a typically successful home season, with Bangladesh and Pakistan beaten with ease in the test matches and 3-2 scorelines over Pakistan and Australia in the Natwest series. Then came the biggest moment of all: drubbing Australia in the Ashes in their own den. So it ought to be a very confident English team that turns up for the World Cup. But stacked against them are the odds. The tag of perennial underachievers at the World Cup (unlike the South Africans, they haven't got to a stage where they can throw it away !!) is likely to weigh on them. The recent 1-6 hammering at the hand of the Aussies reinforces the fact that England are yet to be a very good one-day team, even after four decades. And finally, they come to the sub-continent, which has often been a harsh place for them. The last ODI series against India in 2008 saw them on the wrong end of a 0-5 scoreline (before an early trip home after the Mumbai attacks). Also working against them would be the IPL factor. Hardly any of their side have played in the IPL and hence would have little recent knowledge, forget form, on Indian conditions. So we have a determined and much improved English side against the demons of history. Will they rise above all of that and add a second world title in under a year ?

World Cup Record: Mixed.. Played 59, Won 36. But in the last three editions, their record is nothing to shout home about.

Starting XI: Strauss, Prior, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Collingwood,  Bopara/Yardy, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Bresnan/Shahzad

The calming influence of Strauss is vital for England's chances of putting up, or chasing, huge scores. A vastly improved ODI player (average 34, SR 80), he would be the anchor at one end around which the likes of Trott, Pietersen and Bell flourish. An in-form Collingwood is also neccessary for English hopes. They also bat deep with Broad and Swann coming in at No.8 and 9. In the bowling, Swann would hold the key while Anderson would be hoping for some reverse swing of the flat tracks. But overall, the English bowling attack will not have anyone quaking in their boots. Having said all this, the man who would probably have the biggest influence on their fortunes would be their 12th man: Andy Flower !! Over the past couple of years, he has gained the respect of players and formed a great partnership with Strauss. Given his awesome record in India, it would be interesting to see how he guides his largely inexperienced team on the biggest stage of em all.

Key Games:  Their match against the hosts (now at Bangalore) would be crucial in determining their early form and attitude. The positive for England is that both their crunch games (against West Indies and South Africa) are at Chennai, that pitch, if it plays to form, might interest Messrs Anderson, Bresnan and Broad. They can start having the idli-sambars right from now. Possible quarter final opponents would be the mercurial Pakistan or the formidable Sri Lanka, where they would need to play out of their skins. 

Final Word: England arrive as outside of the favourites, which is probably how Flower and Strauss would want to have it. Important for them would be to master the conditions (indeed, 'embrace' the conditions as Harsha Bhogle put it). The title is not hopelessly beyond the English, but a semi-final spot would be a fair outcome. 

Cheers

Amit