Swann: England don't have a cat in hell's chance

Cricket365
August 26, 2014

Former spinner Graeme Swann has insisted England blood a string of new caps in preparation for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Captain Alastair Cook has been retained and fast bowler Steven Finn recalled for this month's ODI series against India. Batsman Ravi Bopara has been dropped, while all-rounder Stuart Broad has been sidelined by injury.

The uncapped Jason Roy and James Vince, who have enjoyed fine stretches of form at limited-overs level in county cricket this year, have been overlooked. The talented Alex Hales, though, has all but been confirmed as Cook's opening partner for the foreseeable future.

"Cook is the most stubborn man in the world. He has almost backed himself into a corner where he's got to carry on. I don't think we've got a cat in hell's chance of winning the World Cup," Swann told <i>BBC Test Match Special</i>.

"I used to sit in the changing room and I always felt we were so far behind other teams because we play such an old-fashioned brand. Some of my best mates – Cook, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance – are not ODI players who are going to win you a World Cup.

"Hales is going to win you a World Cup. James Vince, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan – they're players I wouldn't want to bowl at, who can build a total of 360 to 370. I love Alastair dearly, but I don't think he should be bothering playing ODI cricket anymore.

"He doesn't need to. He has proved a very good point in Tests. Enjoy being England Test captain. Let young people play, people who want to smash it everywhere and win you the World Cup."

The English have been pooled with Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the 2015 World Cup in Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington and surrounds. Their opening fixture will be against the Australians at the MCG on 14 February.

"We won't win this one, there's no chance, but in four years' time we might have a chance of winning a World Cup if we get all these young exciting players, people who have been brought up on ODI cricket and have none of the baggage of this old-fashioned style of cricket we play. We play a 10-year-old game," concluded Swann.