England have had a rocky lead-up to this World Cup, which has included a change of coach and captain within the last 12 months, including a change of captain less than two months before their opening match against Australia on February 14.This time last year, Ashley Giles was in charge of the limited overs teams, but a one-day series defeat in Australia last January and a dismal display at the subsequent T20 World Cup meant his time was up.

Peter Moores took over, and has since suffered one-day series defeats to Sri Lanka home and away and India at home.

The Sri Lanka defeat away before Christmas was Alastair Cook’s last as captain, with the left-handed opener horribly out of touch with the bat. Eoin Morgan is their new skipper.

The criticism of England’s approach to one-day squad has been centred around their lack of aggression at the top of the innings and their failure to regularly post scores of 300 in an innings.

That will be needed regularly in Australia, especially.

The aggressive performances from left-hander Moeen Ali at the top of the order in Sri Lanka were positive.

If England can show signs of improvement in the forthcoming tri-series with Australia and India, gain some momentum and play with freedom, they could be dangerous.

The return to action of experienced bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad after recent injuries is a major plus, while the power of wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler could change the course of any match.

Badger Predicts

England, who reached the final last time the World Cup was on Australian soil in 1992, to just sneak through Pool A but to go no further than the quarter-finals.

Squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.