Cook targets 50-over success

Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 by Anonymous in Labels: , , ,
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Alastair Cook has made it clear England will be going all out to win their first ever Champions Trophy title when the tournament gets underway this summer. The hosts have never won the 50-over ICC event in six attempts, but Cook has admitted he is confident England could end that run in this summer’s competition.

Cook’s side face a tough test if they are going to triumph, coming up against Group A opponents Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to reach the knockout stages. As well as looking to taste success for the first time in the Champions Trophy, Cook has also targeted victory the 2015 World Cup.

"We haven't won an ICC fifty-over event, so that's certainly a priority here. We have the ICC Champions Trophy this year under our home conditions, which we hope to make the most of,” admitted Cook.

"Then, in two years time, the World Cup - and we haven't won that either. They're two big tournaments coming up. If we keep developing like we have done, then we'll certainly have the team to have a chance of winning those tournaments."

While England’s one-day form has been inconsistent over the past few years, there is no doubt that they are still extremely capable of winning these tournaments. Having the Champions Trophy on home soil gives England a great chance to finally win a 50-over tournament.

Winning the 2010 World T20 showed that England have the ability to win a major tournament despite falling short so many times before, and having home advantage will give the hosts as good a chance as ever to add another trophy to their one-day collection.

Finn ready for challenge ahead

Posted: Monday, April 22, 2013 by Anonymous in Labels: , , , , ,
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Steven Finn is excited ahead of a "huge year" of international cricket which sees England host the Champions Trophy and take on Australia in back-to-back Ashes series.


Finn had injury problems in India before Christmas but played a full part in the tour of New Zealand and is expected to be a key member of England's attack  in The Ashes this summer.

The 24-year-old, who has taken 80 wickets in 20 Tests, has turned out for Middlesex at Lord's this week, his first appearance of the season.

He hit the ground running with 4-51 from 26 overs in Derbyshire's first innings. Punters may want to use their free bet to back Finn to top the wicket taking charts this summer.

Finn will be hoping to pick up a few more wickets before New Zealand arrive for a two-Test series next month, the start of a 12-month international calendar which includes the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

"The next 12 months doesn't get any bigger, really. It's a huge year for us in both Test and one-day cricket. I really can't wait for it to start," the fast bowler told The Independent.

Finn said he was happy with how the winter went on a personal level, particularly his performances at the T20 World Cup where he was England's leading wicket-taker.

"I think I bowled well and kept the runs tight which is important. I was slightly disappointed not to play more of a part in India, to get injured before and after that one Test I played was disappointing. But I felt I got my rhythm back in the one-day series over there and then the New Zealand trip, as a whole, was also a success," he added.

Despite enjoying a good winter, Finn will face competition for his England place from the likes of Chris Tremlett and Graham Onions. Consistency will be the key for Finn during an action-packed summer.