Former England spinner Graeme Swann has chosen his four best teams for the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup, which is just over a week away from kick-off in the USA. England will arrive in the West Indies and the USA to defend their crown in a tournament that is already in the history books before it begins. Since the tournament began, this will be the first time that the landmark event will feature 20 teams battling for World Cup glory. Swann believes the four teams that would reach the final four would be England, India, West Indies and, “unfortunately”, England’s arch-rivals Australia. He chose the West Indies, ahead of countries such as Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand.
“The top four teams I would pick are India and England, and then Australia, unfortunately, and then the West Indies,” Swann told ANI.
In seven months’ time, England will once again defend their title, after their mission was diminished last year.
During the defense of their ODI World Cup title in India, England lived through a nightmare. The Three Lions chased the shadows of the 2019 winning team throughout the tournament.
They failed to qualify for the knockout stages and finished in seventh place with just six points from nine games. But Swann is optimistic about England’s chances of defending their title in the next edition. The former spinner feels that although the title of defending champions is difficult to carry, England have a strong squad to take on the challenge.
“I hope so. Yes, the last time they won they played very good cricket in Australia. It’s a different country to visit, the USA and the West Indies. Different forms of cricket. The pitches are nowhere near as difficult and bouncy. So I hope they do well. Sometimes the title of champion is difficult to carry.
The tournament will begin on June 1, with the United States and Canada playing the opener.
England’s T20 World Cup defense will begin against Scotland on June 4 at Kensington Oval in Barbados. They will then play group matches against Australia, Oman and Namibia in Barbados and Antigua before the Super 8 and qualifiers.
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