Nasser Hussain believes in "ruthless" England - but tips rivals to win World Cup
Nasser Hussain is happy with England's preparation for the Cricket World Cup - but he's still unsure what role Harry Brook will play.
Brook is one of England's most exciting batters after scoring more than 1,000 runs in his first 12 Tests and winning the T20 World Cup last year. Yet the Yorkshireman's place in the one-day international (ODI) side continues to be a talking point. He was initially left out of the squad before replacing the experienced Jason Roy at the 11th hour.
Hussain doesn't know whether Brook will bat at No.6 - with Liam Livingstone also in contention - but believes skipper Jos Buttler already knows his top five. The ex-captain thinks Dawid Malan will open the batting alongside Jonny Bairstow, followed by a middle order of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Buttler.
Mirror Sport asked Hussain if England's decision to axe Roy for Brook evoked memories of the 1999 World Cup, when he replaced Nick Knight on the eve of the opening game. That tournament was a disaster for England, as they were knocked out in the group stage on home soil. Hussain laughed in response before adding: "Not at all... I think they pretty much know five of their top six, to be honest."
England's top order was obvious four years ago, when they won the ODI World Cup for the first time under Eoin Morgan. "They still know it's going to be Bairstow, Malan, Root, Buttler... it's whether Harry Brook plays. They've obviously picked him, but how do they get him into the top six and have all their bowling options? They're not quite where they were, but they're certainly not 1999!"
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England's biggest selection dilemma was deciding between Brook and Roy, as the latter played a crucial role in their 2019 World Cup triumph. Roy missed the recent ODI series against New Zealand after struggling with back spasms and will only feature in the tournament, which starts in India next month, if England lose a batter to injury.
Hussain was asked whether the decision to axe Roy late on was chaotic or ruthless. "Certainly not chaotic, far from it. I think it's more ruthless than chaotic. It was his position to lose, and he didn't lose it through lack of form... he lost it through lack of fitness."
Yet the Sky Sports pundit believes Roy, 33, does have a future in international cricket. "Take nothing away from Jason Roy, he will be (remembered) as one our greatest ever white-ball cricketers.
"The other day here (at The Oval against New Zealand) when Stokes got his 182, they put up the list of highest scorers (for England). Roy was featuring on there. He can go nought, nought, nought - but then he'll get you a massive 150 or whatever. It just shows the talent they have. They wanted Brook in the end, and the injury to Roy opened that door."
But as Hussain insists: "I don't think you should write off Jason Roy."
England will be confident of defending the World Cup after beating New Zealand earlier this month (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the Cricket World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
A lot of the talk heading into the World Cup has been on England's commitment to other formats, with the Ashes taking place during the summer. They also won last year's T20 World Cup. Buttler's full-strength side have played just four ODIs during the last six months, all against New Zealand in September.
Yet Hussain believes England were right to prioritise other formats due to their tight schedule. "They're just looking at the schedule, and I absolutely agree with this. I think it's what boards need to do... every board should be focusing up until that T20 (World Cup next year) on T20 cricket. And when it's a 50-over year, you should be focusing on that.
"Unfortunately for England, occasionally that four-year (ODI World Cup) cycle clashes with the Ashes - as it did this summer - so they had to focus on the Ashes. Before that was the T20 World Cup, and they had to focus on that. They won that T20 World Cup, and they had a pretty good Ashes as well.
"They've got it just about right. These lads play so much white-ball cricket now anyway, a lot of them have played in India. I don't see any other option rather than the one they've taken."
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Indian fans are desperate for another World Cup triumph (Getty Images)Despite their lack of ODI cricket, England are one of the favourites to win the upcoming tournament. Hussain laughed when asked if there was any advice he could offer Buttler. "As you asked that question you're thinking, 'Why am I asking him!?'"
But Hussain then added: "He's already won a World Cup as a player, and he's already won a World Cup as a captain. He will know exactly what to do in any given situation, he's been there and done it. He's already done the right thing with Stokes (persuading him to come out of retirement). He doesn't need any advice from me at all. He knows India very well, I think that'll be very useful."
Hussain believes England will reach the final but has backed India to win their first World Cup in 12 years. "India are favourites. They're the No.1 ranked side at the moment... and as history tells you, if you're playing your cricket (well) and ranked No.1 - as England were before the last World Cup - that means you're in a good space. Home advantage as we've seen with England (in 2019) and Australia (in 2015)... is absolutely vital."
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is exclusively live on Sky Sports and NOW from 5th October.
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