The World Cup is finally here, and we couldn't be better prepared for it.
There has been a huge amount of effort from everyone involved with England — and that goes beyond the players in this squad. Everyone who has played for us over the past few years has deserved to be a part of it, but you can only pick 15 and it will have been hard for the selectors to get to the final group.
Here is my rundown of the guys who will be hoping to make history this summer.
JASON ROY
28, Surrey. Right handed batsman
Played: 76
Runs: 2938
100s: 8
Average: 40.80
Strike Rate: 106.29
In addition to his incredibly powerful batting ability, he brings a lot of energy to the group on and off the field. When he gets a couple out of the middle and is feeling good he seems to flick a switch and decide to destroy the bowling and it is incredible how many times he pulls it off. He is also one of the standard setters in the field.
JONNY BAIRSTOW
29, Yorkshire. Right handed batsman
Played: 63
Runs: 2329
100s: 7
Average: 47.53
Strike Rate: 107.03
He waited for his chance and now there is no stopping him. I would put him in the same category as Jason when it comes to batting and when they get going it is a fierce contest as to who can hit the ball the hardest, who can hit it furthest and who has got the best strike rate at the end. Is also a handy golfer and tends to come out on top when the one day boys have a round.
JOE ROOT
28, Yorkshire. Right handed batsman
Played: 132
Runs: 5300
100s: 14
Average: 50.47
Strike Rate: 87.15
Mister Consistent. He should just start on 50 because you know he is going to get there and he makes batting look so easy when he’s out in the middle. We see him as the glue to our batting line-up and yet he can still strike at around a run per ball. He is the neatest, most kit-obsessed man in the dressing room. If there is a speck of dirt on his pads, he will spend hours cleaning and shining them for the next innings.
EOIN MORGAN
32, Middlesex. Left handed batsman
Played: 222
Runs: 6977
100s: 12
Average: 39.64
Strike Rate: 90.38
As a player, Eoin is one of the very best. Over the years playing alongside him, I’ve grown to appreciate just what a top, top player he is. When he is in form, the runs just keep on coming. He is also probably the biggest hitter in our side, which is a big claim, but I’ll give it to the skipper. As a captain, nothing flusters him.
BEN STOKES
27, Durham. Right arm fast-medium all rounder
Played: 84
Runs: 2217
100s: 3
Average: 37.57
Strike Rate: 94.10
Wickets: 63
Average: 42.44
Econ rate: 6.15
I’m just looking forward to making a contribution to a successful World Cup. I can bowl a bit, bat a bit and field a bit and am hopefully a pretty positive influence in the dressing room. I’ll be taking over the DJ duties from our team masseur Mark Saxby every now and again. I’m bringing some quality tunes.
JOS BUTTLER
28, Lancashire. Wicket-keeper/batsman
Played: 131
Runs: 3531
100s: 8
Average: 41.54
Strike Rate: 119.57
Every bowler who bowls at him is scared. He can win you a game from anywhere and has done on countless occasions. That is why we call him the freak. He is also a demon in training, setting the bar for others to try and get to.
MOEEN ALI
31, Worcestershire. Off spinning all rounder
Played: 96
Runs: 1691
100s: 3
Average: 26.01
Strike Rate: 103.74
Wickets: 79
Average: 48.84
Econ rate: 5.26
The talent this guy has is just phenomenal. He is so free in the way he plays the game, I just love seeing him in full flow. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re going to get from him, with the bat especially, but when he’s on song he makes batting look almost sexy. He is full of jokes and wise-cracks, but there is much more to him than that.
CHRIS WOAKES
30, Warwickshire. Right arm fast-medium all rounder
Wickets: 126
Average: 30.80
Econ rate: 5.64
Played: 88
Runs: 1052
Average: 26.30
Strike Rate: 90.14
His record for England in white-ball cricket is sensational. Such a reliable cricketer. Could bat higher in any other team. And with the new ball in hand, he is second to none. He can get a little something out of these balls when others can’t and that is huge for us. Keeps banging on about “the Villa” though, which will be unbearable now they’re back in the Premier League.
ADIL RASHID
31, Yorkshire. Leg-spinning all rounder
Played: 88
Wickets: 132
Average: 30.46
Econ rate: 5.61
Runs: 543
Average: 20.11
Strike Rate: 101.30
When I think about Rash I think about Mo, and vice versa. It is almost like they are one person off the field, they are such good mates. Rash’s ability is something special. Bowling wrist spin is very hard but he has such control of the skill, and the variations makes him a master of the craft.
LIAM PLUNKETT
34, Surrey. Right arm fast-medium
Played: 82
Wickets: 124
Average: 30.14
Econ rate: 5.90
'Pudsey' does exactly what it says on the tin. He knows what he’s doing, bowls cross seam, bangs a length out, stays true to his game and it brings the team a lot of success. He’s the old man of the squad and I remind him I was just a kid when we played together at Durham.
JOFRA ARCHER
24, Sussex. Right arm fast
Played: 3
Wickets: 3
Average: 36.00
Econ rate: 4.90
It is quite obvious he is going to be a high class international cricketer and this World Cup should be the start. He makes fast bowling look effortless, and the bounce he gets with it is a lethal combination. He’s been getting a bit of banter as the new boy in the changing room and I think he’ll be holding his own by the time this tournament is done.
MARK WOOD
29, Durham. Right arm fast
Played: 41
Wickets: 43
Average: 44.69
Econ rate: 5.63
He has pace and skill. It is one thing to be quick but he is someone who can get movement with that new ball too, which is a huge asset. He’s nuts in the dressing room, full of energy and just bouncing around making people laugh. A good man to get a lift with to games, although I don’t let him touch the stereo. He’s got about 2,000 songs on his iPhone and 1,995 of them are rubbish.
TOM CURRAN
24, Surrey. Right arm fast-medium
Played: 17
Wickets: 27
Average: 29.81
Econ rate: 6.33
He wears his heart on his sleeve and gives absolutely everything each time he pulls on the shirt. He’s a workhorse and wants to be involved in the big moments. We are quite similar characters and are on the same wavelength in the dressing room. No-one piles their food higher in the lunchroom than him!
JAMES VINCE
28, Hampshire. Right handed batsman
Played: 10
Runs: 225
Average: 28.12
Strike rate: 90.72
I’ve known Vincey since I was a kid. We played age-group cricket together and against each other. He’s my favourite batsman to watch because he is just so pleasing on the eye. It is good to see him get a chance in the squad and will keep up the style of cricket we’ve been playing with ease.
LIAM DAWSON
29, Hampshire. Left arm spinner
Played: 3
Wickets: 3
Average: 32.00
Econ rate: 6.85
Left arm spin is a very valuable asset to have in one day cricket and he is someone who gets the very best out of themselves. His all round package as a cricketer is very tidy — he can bowl you 10 overs, take wickets, give you control, he can come in down the order and bat properly or give it a whack and he’s great in the field.
