ICC World Twenty20 Preview: England

ENGLAND – Group B

England has never won a major tournament, and the ICC World Twenty20 gives them a good opportunity to do so in their own backyard. The problem they face is that, despite featuring big names in their squad, they fail to put forward a consistent and collective team effort. Team unity is key to their chances.

Ravi Bopara: Bopara is one of the few English players to participate in Indian Premier League matches this year where he did well opening the inning for his team Kings XI Punjab – form he carried into the Test and the One-day series against West Indies.       

Owais Shah: An excellent batsman who is capable of playing explosive innings. He didn’t get an opportunity to play in IPL 2009, though he was part of the Delhi Daredevils squad.

X-Factor: Only Kevin Pietersen will know if he is in mood to play big or not. His performance, or the absence of it, will make a big difference to the fortunes of the home team.

Dark Horse: Robert Key is a quality player and has done remarkably well for his county side Kent.

Team:

Captain: Paul Collingwood

James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, James Foster, Robert Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann and Luke Wright

Coach: Andy Flower