5 Reasons why England has a great chance to win CT 2017

England have been in the Champions Trophy final twice before this and have lost on both occasions. The creators of the game are yet to win a major 50 over ICC tournament. For the last two Champions Trophy tournaments at home, England have had great teams. It was just the question of whether they could deliver or not.

The 2004 tournament; when Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Flintoff owned the competition with their brilliance while Vaughan captained with conviction; they did everything right but it was undone by two tail-enders from West Indies. In 2013 they were close as ever, they needed just 20 runs from 16 deliveries with 6 wickets in hand but they flunked, again.

This year England are one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. They are firm favorites to lift the title as they have the strongest of squads and almost all the players are peaking at the right time. The fact that majority of the players are coming in from playing in the IPL further glorifies their chances of winning the tournament.

Those were some of the reasons why England would win the Champions Trophy this year, but let us look at five of the major reasons for the same.

#1 Familiar conditions.

It is always handy to play in the conditions you have grown up in. All the factors which the tourers won’t be aware of are your friends. It just is an advantage which no one can take away from you. England will surely enjoy playing on home soil. They have been quite successful when they have played in the Champions Trophy at home.

In 2004 and in 2013 they made it to the finals with utmost ease and just gave it away at the end. However, things are different this time around, the players and the staff look determined and they will look to dominate from the start and make use of the home advantage. It will be interesting to see how England go about their business on June 1 when they host the Bangladeshis.

#2 Squad depth.

When you look at the England squad and try and find a weakness, you would end up empty handed. It is a complete squad, literally. The squad is filled with explosive batsmen, superb all-rounders, and some magnificent bowlers.

They have batted extremely well at home but even on the road, the batters have done a brilliant job. The bowling which was a concern before is no more the same. The young crop of bowlers have improved a lot and will be itching to show their class in the Champions Trophy.

#3 The batting.

England have the longest batting line-up in the tournament or we might as well say in the history of cricket. No team has ever had a batting lineup which goes down to number 9 or 10, but England’s lineup does. They have bowlers who can bat for a long time if required.

Not only that, England have the scores over 300 in almost of their last 5 or 6 one-dayers. This shows how explosive the batting line-up is. This is one of the major reasons why England will surely be successful in the Champions Trophy.

#4 The all-rounders.

England have terrific athletes in their squads and they not only bat or bowl well they are sharp in the field as well. With the likes of Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes in the side, England have the best all-rounders in the business.

They have always had better all-rounders than most of the sides but these three will be pivotal in their Champions Trophy campaign. All of these players are masters of their skills and when playing at home, it will be tough to get past a team with such players in it.

#5 The Stokes factor.

Ben Stokes is a three in one player. He is someone who bats at number five, bowls in crunch and pressure situations and fields at cover or point. There are very few players who have such capabilities. Stokes, now with some IPL experience, will be even more dangerous.

The fact that he has hit form at the right time is just added bonus for the home team. He will be the key to England’s success in the tournament. It is important for England and Eoin Morgan to use him rightly and to get the best out of him.