Off The Field

India favourites to lift 2023 World Cup at home? Utter nonsense, says Michael Vaughan

Written by Vipin Darwade

Former England Michael Vaughan said the England white-ball team under Jos Buttler is going to be the envy of world cricket and they will head into all major International Cricket Council (ICC) events in the near future. Buttler led England to their 2nd T20 World Cup crown on Sunday in Melbourne, beating Pakistan in the final. 

Vaughan went a step ahead and said England will head to India as favorites for the 50-over World Cup in 2023 and it would “utter nonsense” if India are billed as the favourites for the showpiece 50-over event. 

The host nation has gone on to win the 50-over World Cup for the last three editions of the tournament — a trend that began when MS Dhoni led India to glory in 2011. Australia won the 2015 edition at home and England won the 2019 edition at their own backyard. 

“The next big ticket is to win the 50 over World Cup in India next year. They have good spin options and you have to put them down as favourites for that tournament as well. When the tournament starts people will have India as favourites on home soil. Utter nonsense. England will be the team to beat without any question and that is going to be the case for a few more years to come,” Vaughan said.

The former England captain said if he were Australia, he would seek the help of Michael Hussey, who worked with the England team at T20 World Cup 2022, to understand how Buttler and his men went about their business in their winning campaign Down Under. 

This group of England white ball players is extraordinary and for once English cricket has a trendsetting team the rest of the world should emulate.

“How are England going about their business? What do they do? If I was in charge of Australia I would be all over Mike Hussey, who was specialist batting coach with England at this tournament and asking what they do behind the scenes. If I was running Indian cricket I would swallow my pride and look at England for inspiration,” he added. 

About the author

Vipin Darwade