England have a chance of winning World Cup: Ganguly by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter

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Player:

SC Ganguly, U Afzaal, ME Trescothick, IR Bell, KP Pietersen, A Flintoff

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DateLine: 23rd January 2007

 

Sourav Ganguly says England are one of the five teams, including India, who have a chance of winning the World Cup in March-April. Ganguly, who led India to the 2003 World Cup final, said England could go all the way provided "they get their heads right and find a format to play the game". "I think there is enough talent in this team to do well in one-day cricket," the 34-year-old former Indian captain said. However, he felt the absence of players like Marcus Trescothick and Usman Afzaal, not even named in England's provisional World Cup squad of 30, was hurting the side. "I played with Usman at Northampton last year and he looks a very talented player. I'm sure if he gets an opportunity for England he will do well for the country," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport today. "I feel he's got a lot of ability. He can hit the ball, he's a clean striker and can be a strength to English cricket." Afzaal, 29, played in three Tests in the Ashes series of 2001 but has not featured in a one-day international. He hit 319 runs at an average of 63.8 in the Pro40 League in 2006. But even without him and Trescothick, Ganguly says England fans should have reason to cheer. "Kevin Pietersen is obviously a talented player, so is Ian Bell, and of course Andrew Flintoff. It all depends how England play. It's very difficult to predict how teams will play in World Cups but they have a good side," Ganguly said adding Australia, South Africa, India and Pakistan were the other teams capable of winning the tournament.