One step further
Phil Tufnell, who was part of the England side that lost the 1992 World Cup final, has backed Eoin Morgan’s current squad to go one step further and lift the trophy today. The former spinner-turned-expert has had the best seat in the house for much of England’s historic run to the final on home soil this summer. And after Jason Roy and Chris Woakes inspired an eight-wicket walloping of Australia in the semi-finals, Tufnell can’t see how New Zealand are going to be able to stop this England team. “We just seem to have all bases covered,” said Tufnell. “The pace of Archer and Wood, the consistency of Woakes and Plunkett and that little bit of mystery from Rashid. “Then in the batting line-up we have those two guys at the top who have been outstanding, the glue of Root, the big hitters of Morgan, Stokes and Buttler, I really can’t see a weakness in this team. “I just think that while New Zealand have three or four world-class performers, England have got seven or eight,” the ICC quoted Tufnell as saying.
extra special
Former captain Daniel Vettori said today’s final will be “extra special” considering there would be a first-time champion. "Both teams will be very excited about reaching the World Cup final, and the crowning of a first-time winner makes it extra special,” Vettori wrote in his column for the ICC.” ...One of these teams getting across the line for the first time is going to be really exciting. “Sri Lanka in 1996 were the last first-time winner — that win swept the country and I think it would be exactly the same for New Zealand,” he added.
faith repaid
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid said his skipper Eoin Morgan never lost faith in his abilities despite a modest performance in the league phase. Before the semi-final, Rashid had taken just eight wickets. However, Morgan never stopped believing in him and the spinner repaid the faith with a crucial three-wicket haul against Australia that helped England make the final. “He always has the faith in me from day one till now,” Rashid said. “There are going to be games where you don’t go well, that’s part and parcel of cricket but he always has the confidence that I can do a job. He’s 100 per cent the best captain I’ve ever played under. He knows my game now inside out,” he added.
honest and committed
India skipper Virat Kohli has lent his support to Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate AB de Villiers after the retired South African great broke his silence on his recent controversy. The Indian captain described de Villiers, who was criticised for picking and choosing international assignments after announcing his retirement last year, as the “most honest and committed” person. “My brother you are the most honest and committed man I know. It’s been unfortunate to see this happen to you. But know that we stand with you and believe in you. “Seeing people enter your personal space has been sad to see and uncalled for. More love and power to you and your beautiful family. Me and Anushka are Always here for you guys” Kohli wrote on de Villiers Instagram.
