ICC World Cup 2019 | England’s predicted XI for their game against Pakistan

ByDaniel Arambur, SportsCafe Editor

06/03/2019

The three lions recorded a convincing 104-run victory against South Africa in the tournament opener and will hope to build on that performance in the second match of the group stage on Monday. Eoin Morgan & Co. will go up against Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan at the Trent Bridge on June 3.

Openers

Jonny Bairstow: Bairstow was dismissed on the very first ball he faced in the opening game against South Africa but will back himself to bounce back with a strong performance against Pakistan. A brilliant strike rate of 106.98 confirms that Bairstow certainly has the ability to get going at the top.

Jason Roy: South Africa-born Jason Roy has been one of the most consistent performers for England in the last year. The hard-hitting opener scored a 53-ball 54 in the tournament opener against the Proteas and will look to build on that in the next game against Pakistan.

Middle-order

Joe Root: Joe Root also got off to a good start in the ongoing World Cup as he bagged a half century last Thursday. England will rely on Root’s ability of steadily build the innings for over the course of their World Cup campaign.

Eoin Morgan(C): 32-year old Eoin Morgan has established himself as one of the best captains that England have ever had in the last 10 years or so. Consistent with the bat, Morgan’s average of almost 40 will serve as a clear reminder of his capabilities in the English middle-order.

Jos Buttler(WK): Buttler is one of the most feared batsmen in shorter formats due to his hard-hitting strokeplay and belligerence. Usually utilised as an opener, Buttler will serve as a dangerous finisher for England batting at a strike rate of almost 120.

All-rounder

Ben Stokes: Stokes was England’s top-scorer in the massive opening day win against South Africa with 89 off 79 deliveries. Handy with the ball and effective on the field as well, Morgan will be pleased to count on Stokes in the coming weeks.

Moeen Ali: Ali operates as a batting all-rounder in the English team and will play the role of a finisher over the next few weeks. A strike rate of 104 will boost the hopes of English fans and his wicket tally of 80 from 91 ODIs will also be a plus point.

Spinner

Adil Rashid: The only specialist spinner in the England squad for the ongoing WC, Rashid will play a key role in the middle overs this summer. Bowling at an economy rate of under six, the 31-year old Yorkshire cricketer can also perform with the bat boasting a high score of 69 in the ODI format.

Pacers

Chris Woakes: Woakes has been a regular feature in the English cricket team in the last two years. A tally of 126 wickets from 88 ODIs for the three lions, he will be expected to keep the run-rate in control and pick up the occasional wicket against a struggling Pakistan team.

Jofra Archer: Undoubtedly, the star of the opening win against Faf du Plessis & Co. ending the match with figures of 3/27 from seven overs. His display with the ball will define England’s performance in the 2019 World Cup on home soil.

Liam Plunkett: England coach Trevor Bayliss and Morgan will most likely give Mark Wood some additional rest ahead of a lengthy tournament which means that Plunkett should get the nod for the game against Pakistan. He picked up two wickets against South Africa which were of openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla.