WC Opener in Melbourne 10 Facts

1)    England have not made the semis since 1992, reached 5/5 semis in 1975-1992, last 5 semis reached 0/5 semis

2)    England not won any of the 10 WCs or 7 CTs despite hosting 4 WCs and 2 CTs and reached 3 WC finals and 2 CT finals

3)    England hoping to break the 40 year drought in global ODI trophies

4)    The last time an Essex man led in Australia – they reached the final

5)    England beaten twice by SL in QFs in 1996 and 2011

6)    1987 final revisited

7)    They didn’t meet in 2011 WC

8)    They met in a tournament opener at CT13 too

9)    2015 hosts vs. 2019 hosts

10) England had an eventful ride in 2011 – beat WI, SA, tied vs Ind, but lost to BD and Ireland

Tri Series

The “BIG 3” tri series

Last time England played a tri series before a World Cup, they won in 2006-07 under Freddie

Even in the year where there are no Ashes England are in Australia before the World Cup