Can they break the 40 year ODI drought early in the new calendar in their quest to finally get their hands on a major ICC ODI title? Here I look at reasons for genuine optimism for England fans. Indeed, last time an Essex man led in a World Cup in that part of the World, they had their best World Cup campaign, reaching the final against Imran Khan's side under Graham Gooch in front of 87,000 at the MCG.
Why England Are One of the Contenders
1) Conditions: England have played plenty of cricket in Australia over the years and conditions shouldn't be an issue. They know what to expect. They would have learn't from their experiences.
2) Preparation: No Test Matches in the next five months unlike previous World Cups where England have had a taxing schedule to contend with, playing an away Ashes series and the World Cup in the same winter. All the focus is very much on one day cricket now. Surely England will benefit from this? Moreover, they are playing a triangular series in Australian conditions prior to the showpiece tournament early next year.
3) Modern Playing Regulations: If there is one team that has benefited from the reintroduction of 2 new balls, 5 fielders in the circle at all times, no more Bowling Powerplay, 2 bouncers an over, it is England. Games aren't high scoring, almost a mini Test Match and the Champions Trophy was evidence of that. They have orthodox conventional batters at the top of the order to combat the threat of 2 new white balls. They have the bowlers who can utilise it effectively with seam and swing. They have the finishers who can cause immense destruction in the last 10 overs with only 4 men allowed out with the likes of Eoin Morgan, particularly with England's strategy built around wicket preservation in order to cash in during the latter stages of the innings.
4) Prioritizing: No away Ashes so for a change the World Cup wouldn't be a consolation prize added on to the end of a long winter. England have played 10 consecutive Ashes Tests in order to ease the burden for their players in the 2014/15 World Cup season. One day cricket and a successful 2015 World Cup has become a leading priority. All the hype doesn't just surround the Ashes like previous times when a World Cup has been fast approaching. While some may argue that playing an Ashes series and a World Cup didn't affect the Australians when they won the competition in 2003 and 2007, one must remember they were a formidable force with truly great players and also they were playing the Ashes series at home too.
5) Form Guide: They were finalists in the last major ODI tournament - The Champions Trophy. The were number 1 on the ODI rankings as recently as 2012. Alastair Cook has won more ODIs than any other England Captain. He has beaten nine different sides in ODI series during his tenure.
6) Competition Format: All major teams are bound to reach the quarter finals. Both times the World Cup has seen a quarter final structure in place this has been the case in 1996 and 2011. No upsets have happened in terms of a major side eliminated early in those. It's effectively a 3 match knockout after a long qualification process. The best and most consistent side in the long qualifying round doesn't necessarily win i.e. South Africa in 2011, rather the one that handles pressure best and peaks at the right time and before you know it - you are in the semi finals.
Final Word
England have their best chance of success at the World Cup since 1992 in the 44 day Australasian carnival. There are genuine reasons to be optimistic for the originators of domestic one day cricket. They are a overdue a global title in 50 over cricket. In an open tournament, they can't be written off. Triumphing in Melbourne in late March to become the sixth holder of one day cricket's biggest prize? It's not beyond them.
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