ICC 2019 World Cup: Predicted Strongest Playing XI for England

All the ten teams have finalized their 15-member squads for the ICC Cricket World Cup which will start from 30th May in England and Wales. Making three changes to their preliminary squad, the England Cricket Board announced their final World Cup squad on Tuesday. England have never manage to win the World Cup but they are one of the favorites to lift the trophy this year. After facing humiliation in World Cup 2015, England have prepared well for this World Cup on home soil. Only five players - Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, who were part of 2015 World Cup squad, have made it to the World Cup squad of 2019. England have great depth in their batting unit which is one of their main strength,s considering the flat decks in England. Despite having minor weaknesses in their bowling attack, England have arguably the best squad among all teams. Let's have a look at the best possible playing XI of England for this marquee event.

#1 Openers: Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy

Bairstow and Roy

England have three openers in their squad - Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and James Vince (replacement of Alex Hales). The duo of Bairstow and Roy is a settled opening pair for England, while Vince has been picked as a reserve opener. After World Cup 2015, the dashing opener Roy has amassed 2938 runs with an average of 40.80 and a very good strike-rate of about 107. On the other hand, his partner Bairstow has accumulated 2210 runs with an astonishing average of more than 50 and an excellent strike-rate of about 109. Roy and Bairstow have been third and sixth topscorers respectively for England in this period. Both the right-handed batsmen play aggressive and fearless cricket and are capable of destroying any bowling attack on their day. While batting together, they have scored 1762 runs with an astonishing average nearing 59. Both players are one of the main reasons behind England’s success in ODIs post World Cup 2015.

#2 Middle Order: Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, and Jos Buttler

Morgan and Buttler

The batting trio of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler arguably make the best middle-order among all the teams in this World Cup. Skipper Morgan and attacking wicket-keeper Buttler play aggressively, while Root plays the anchor role. After World Cup 2015, Root has been the topscorer (3842) for England in ODIs and also has the best batting average (58.30) among the English batsmen who have played more than one ODI. On the other hand, Morgan has hit the most number of sixes (100) for England in this period. One of the most destructive batsmen of the modern era, Buttler has the best batting strike-rate (124.84) among all the English batsmen post the 2015 World Cup. These stats are enough to show their great consistency even with such attacking brand of cricket which England have been playing for the last 4-5 years. The solid middle-order provides freedom to their openers to attack the opponent bowlers since the very first ball.

#3 All-rounders: Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes

Stokes and Moeen

Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes will be the first choice all-rounders for England in the World Cup. Stokes has been stepping-up for England whenever they required him, especially in case of collapses. With the willow in his hands, the 27-year-old has been averaging 47.19 with a good strike-rate of about 98 after World Cup 2015. He has also been performing decently with the ball for England.

Ali and Woakes will feature as bowling all-rounders in England's playing XI. Woakes has been prime bowler with new white cheery for England in recent years. He has been the third highest wicket-taker (79) for England with a decent economy of less than 6. The pacer from Birmingham has bowled most maiden overs (25) for England post the 2015 World Cup.

Off-spinner Ali has been the most economical (5.40) English bowler after the last World Cup amongst the Englishmen, who have played more than 10 matches in this period. Both Ali and Woakes are decent batsmen and are capable of hitting big shots.

#4 Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Liam Plunkett, and Adil Rashid

England Bowlers

Jofra Archer (replacement of David Willey) and Liam Plunkett could be the frontline pacers for the hosts in the World Cup. Barbados-born pacer, Archer is a new addition to England's World Cup squad, while Plunkett with 85 wickets has been the most successful English pacer after the 2015 World Cup. Archer has played only three ODIs but has been picked due to his ability to nail yorkers even with quick pace in the death overs. On the other hand, averaging 28.43 with the ball, Plunkett has picked up 85 wickets with an excellent strike-rate of 28.6 and an economy of less than 6 after World Cup 2015. His strike-rate of 28.6 with the ball is the best among all the English bowler who have appeared in more than 20 matches during this period.

Adil Rashid has been England’s lead spinner and their best bowler after the 2015 World Cup. He has also been the most successful bowler in the world with 129 wickets to his name during this period. Rashid has been Morgan's go-to bowler in the middle overs to break partnerships.