ONE win from three, with table topping opponents ahead, England need to find a team capable of getting consecutive wins in their fight for the trophy.
They shone brightly against Bangladesh, with batters in the runs and bowlers sharing the wickets, positive signs were there.
But the two defeats either side, the rose between two thorns as such, has caused concern about England’s chances, with their bowling attack especially looking unthreatening.
“The bowling attack looks toothless”
Says England’s Mark Butcher on the Wisden Cricketers Podcast
Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have been expensive in their bowling spells, leaking valuable runs in the opening and middle order overs, going at an average of eight runs an over.
The new ball role has been shared between the quicks, but none have proved superior and are struggling to cemented their place with it.
That brings the discussion onto David Willey.
Despite this, he is yet to make the playing eleven in this year’s tournament in India, with Sam Curran and Chris Woakes being preferred.
But fans and pundits are calling for Willey to play, but more importantly take the new ball in the hope to get it swinging early in the innings.
Raw pace has been seen in England’s attack through Mark Wood, some serious heat has been sent down by the Durham man, currently with the fastest ball of the tournament so far at 95mph.
Whether he can maintain this for consecutive games will be down to his fitness, which we know is a touchy subject, so Gus Atkinson is waiting in the wings.
Atkinson would make his World Cup debut if he was given a cap, his pace would prove dangerous but his experience is shallow.
