bwin Sportsblog - Cricket - I wouldn’t back England now with someone else’s money

I never expected England to do anything in this Cricket World Cup. With barely any rest periods then they have gone from a gruelling Ashes tour in Australia to a seven match one day series and then to another gruelling World Cup. I think the writing was on the wall for England when they lost 6-1 to Australia in the one day series. They had put vast amounts of effort into winning the Ashes and touring thousands of miles from home for months on end can destroy you mentally. A hotel however luxurious is not your home and speaking to your loved ones over the phone is not the same as being with them. There is no way in my mind that England would have lost that one day series 6-1 had that come at the start of the tour. Now they face a do or die final group game against the West Indies just to reach the last eight. A narrow win over Holland was the writing on the wall and then defeats to Ireland and Bangladesh basically told us all we needed to know. The thrilling draw with India and the win over South Africa painted over the cracks. But Graeme Swann arguing with the umpire and then making remarks about the schedule highlights for me that all is not well with the mentality of the England players. To win a big tournament then a team needs to harmonise and my tips of Sri Lanka or India are still looking good at this time although Pakistan look to be showing some form.