Predicting the England ODI Team That Starts the 2015 World Cup
The England ODI team start their 2015 World Cup campaign against Australia on 14 February. Will the chosen XI be the victims of a Valentine's Day massacre at the hands of Mitchell Johnson and company? Or will it be the start of a surprise English Antipodean love affair?
Despite home series defeats at the hands of Sri Lanka and India, the England selectors have shown little appetite for wholesale change.
The latest round of central contracts also gave a hint as to who will be making the trip Down Under this winter.
Read on to find out who we expect will be wearing the light blue shirt when England make their bow at the MCG.
1. Alastair Cook
1 of 11
86 ODIs; 3,085 runs; 37.62 average; 77.57 strike rate
Despite facing a barrage of criticism, Alastair Cook looks set to keep his place at the top of the England order.
England's skipper has passed 50 just once in 14 ODI innings in 2014 and averages only 31.08. That's hardly World Cup-winning form. Cook's record in Australia doesn't inspire much confidence either, with an average of 28.80 in five ODI appearances Down Under.
The 29-year-old is, though, if you'll excuse the pun, a tough cookie. It wasn't that long ago that he steered England to the top of the ODI World Rankings and the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
It's long odds that England will reach those heady heights.
2. Alex Hales
2 of 11
4 ODIs; 92 runs; 23.00 average; 68.65 strike rate
After dazzling in the T20 game, Alex Hales finally made his ODI debut against India this September. Despite failing to produce a big score, Hales showed signs of what he's capable of with a couple of nice cameos.
England have often struggled in the powerplay overs and will be hoping that the Nottinghamshire opener can provide the answer.
With the flat, bouncy Australian pitches set to suit shot-makers, runs from Hales will be crucial if England are to mount a challenge.
3. Ian Bell
3 of 11
148 ODIs; 4,861 runs; 36.82 average; 76.02 strike rate
Ian Bell is England's classiest Test batsman. He has sometimes struggled to show off his undoubted talents in the 50-over game.
Despite passing 50 just once in his past seven ODI innings, we expect the selectors will keep faith with the Warwickshire man.
Moeen Ali and Ravi Bopara will be knocking on the door if Bell continues to fail.
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4. Joe Root
4 of 1136 ODIs; 1,131 runs; 36.48 average; 79.79 strike rate
10 wickets; 58.50 average; 5.85 economy rate
One of the few highlights from England's ODI series defeat against India was the form of Joe Root. The Yorkshireman's 113 runs from 108 balls gave notice of a special talent.
The 24-year-old looks a more complete player since his last visit Down Under. Better suited to the middle order rather than the top of the order, he looks set to enjoy a big World Cup. His bowling could prove handy, too.
5. Eoin Morgan
5 of 11123 ODIs; 3,635 runs; 38.26 average; 85.73 strike rate
Despite going 13 innings without passing 50, Eoin Morgan remains an integral part of the England ODI middle order.
The Irishman gave a timely reminder of just what he's capable of in the sole T20I against India. Morgan smashed seven sixes while scoring 71 from just 31 balls.
With two 50s and a century, Morgan is one of the few England batsmen to enjoy a decent record in Australia.
The selectors will be hoping that the left-hander is back to his belligerent best by the time the World Cup arrives.
6. Jos Buttler
6 of 1137 ODIs; 857 runs; 31.74 average; 119.35 strike rate
Jos Buttler has made most of his ODI runs batting at No. 7. Given the need to squeeze in an extra bowler, it's likely he'll be moved a place higher up the batting order.
Whichever position he comes in at, Buttler is one of the most exciting strikers in the global game. The Lancashire wicketkeeper's record against Australia is especially impressive. Buttler has scored 346 runs in nine innings against the Aussies, at an average of 49.43.
The England management will be hoping that the top order will provide enough of a platform so Buttler has the freedom to tee off in style.
7. Chris Woakes
7 of 11
17 ODIs; 195 runs; 19.50 average; 72.49 strike rate
20 wickets; 37.65 average; 5.77 economy rate
With Chris Jordan struggling for accuracy and Ben Stokes unreliable with the bat, the England selectors seem to have settled on Chris Woakes for the all-rounder role.
Woakes is just the type of three-dimensional player beloved by the England ODI hierarchy. A reliable fielder, dependable lower-order batsman and an improving bowler, he'll never let England down.
He's also enjoyed success against Australia with his return of six for 45 at Brisbane in 2011 the best by an England bowler.
After the lengthy Jade Dernbach experiment, Woakes seems to be England's death-bowler of choice.
8. Stuart Broad
8 of 11
108 ODIs; 470 runs; 12.70 average; 74.13 strike rate
168 wickets; 28.37 average; 5.22 economy rate
Assuming that he's fully recovered from his knee operation, Stuart Broad is a certainty for England's World Cup XI.
During the series against India, captain Cook must have sometimes wondered where the next wicket was coming from. Broad's return should boost that threat.
The 28-year-old was one of the few bowlers to perform well on the disastrous 2013 Ashes tour. Bowling in Australia will hold no fears.
9. James Tredwell
9 of 11
39 ODIs; 112 runs; 10.18 average; 62.22 strike rate
55 wickets; 25.85 average; 4.77 economy rate
The unlikely figure of James Tredwell has become England's most reliable bowler in the one-day game.
Likely to be England's only front-line spinner, Tredwell is England's joint leading ODI wicket-taker in 2014 with 19. He is economical, too, with only James Anderson going at fewer runs per over.
Whether Tredwell's flighted off-spin will prove enough of a threat on flat Australian pitches remains a big question.
10. James Anderson
10 of 11
184 ODIs; 259 runs; 7.61 average; 47.61 strike rate
257 wickets; 29.10 average; 4.94 economy rate
England's World Cup spearhead will be James Anderson. With the white ball not swinging, Anderson struggled during the ODI series against India. He remains a certainty to be selected in Melbourne, though.
The MCG hasn't been Anderson's happiest hunting ground. In three appearances there, Anderson has taken just two wickets at an average of 75 with an economy rate of 6.82 runs per over.
The Lancastrian has enjoyed plenty of ODI success elsewhere in Australia and if the ball does nibble around there'll be no more dangerous bowler in the competition.
11. Steven Finn
11 of 11
42 ODIs; 104 runs; 11.55 average; 81.25 strike rate
62 wickets; 28.41 average; 4.74 economy rate
Following his attack of the yips, it was great to see Steven Finn return to the international scene this summer.
After a steady comeback against India, England fans will be hoping he can crank up the pace by the World Cup.
If he can regularly top 90 mph on the speed gun, then it's highly likely he'll face the Aussies in England's opening match.
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