With every ICC event, comes a chance to make history, for England. They are the underdogs. If they play the way they did in the first 6 ODIs in the recent Natwest Series against Australia, they will lose all three matches but if they play to win, like they did in the 7th, they are bound to win. In the 7th one-dayer, they looked good from the first ball, with a wicket in the first over. They looked like a winning team. In the ICC World Twenty-20, after losing to Netherlands, the Pakistan game was a must win and they did it! Then after losing to South Africa, they had to beat India and West Indies. They ousted the defending champions but lost to West Indies. The West Indies, who lost one day series to England in their own backyard, the West Indies, who were whitewashed in Tests as well as ODIs in England earlier this year. Before the match, I thought England are through to semis unless it rains and it did. The fate of England in an ICC event decided in 9 overs. In the CB series 2007, after having lost 5 of their 6 matches, they needed an ideal outcome in 5 matches. They had to defeat both Australia and New Zealand, they wanted Australia to beat New Zealand and they had to win 2 of the 3 finals. All of it happened, like a fairytale story. James Anderson took 5 wickets in the only match England won in their first 5 matches. In England's 3rd match of the series, Jonathan Lewis grabbed 4, Jimmy 2. In England's 4th match, Lewis's figures were impressive, 1-31 in 10 overs, so were James Anderson's figures, 2-47 in 10 overs. But England couldn't chase 211, being bowled out for 120. After that, both of them were sent home to get fit for the World Cup. In the next game, England were bowled out for 110. Then they lost to New Zealand, won against Oz with Freddie as captain. Colly and Plunkett were the stars in their next match, in their win against New Zealand. In the first final, the bowlers shared the wickets to bowl Australia out for 252 and Belly and Colly finished the job with the bat. Kevin Pietersen had said he would play in the third final but the third final wasn't needed. In the 2nd final, England scored 246 and Oz were 152/8 when it started pouring heavily. Game over. England were declared winners. Champagnes popped out.

If they could do it then, why not now? True, the challenge is tough and this is not a tri-series, this is just another ICC event. And West Indies isn't even in their group this time. Freddie isn't fit either. But they know, they have the potential. If they are gonna reach the semis, I expect them to defeat New Zealand and either Sri Lanka or South Africa. They must drop Bopara and Bresnan and bring in Broad/Sidebottom and Luke Wright. The contests between England and New Zealand are very interesting, both are evenly matched teams. On their day, none can beat England but their day doesn't come often in ODIs and especially in ICC events since 1992. The last time they reached the final in an ICC event was in ICC Champions Trophy 2004. Perhaps a humiliating defeat to Sri Lanka would be ideal so that games against South Africa and New Zealand are must win games and England plays their best. I don't know why they are not picking Cooky, he is batting so well in County Cricket. He is not just a Test batsman now. And why are they playing in red jerseys? England's color is blue. But hey Jimmy looks very hot in red. Hope they do well today. Come on England!