First look: England

England were the first team to announce their squad of fifteen for the WC 2015. They will be under a new captain - Eoin Morgan and I believe that is a step in the right direction. Having never won a world cup, their last best performance was in 1992 WC held in Aus-NZ.

A look at the squad ....

Overall the squad has good options and combinations which is plus for a tournament of this nature. It would be best to open with Moeen Ali, given his success recently and one of Alex Hales/Gary Ballance. With Bell, Root and Morgan in middle order to provide stability, Bopara and Butler and one of Woakes/Jordan should be a decent lower order. Broad, Tredwell and Anderson should complete the first 11. Steve Finn could be an option to bolster the bowling.

Strengths - I think England bowling will do well in Aus/NZ conditions and they've plenty of experience in that. Tredwell and Moen Ali can provide spin options and with Finn in the wings, they've  a decent attack. In Morgan and  Butler, they have couple of the cleanest hitters in the game but would like their batsman to be consistent.

Weaknesses - I don't believe the English batting has the class of some of the other teams and they would need a consistently firing top order and great finishing from their captain and couple other players to consistently post good totals.

Prediction - I think they will finish 4th in their pool and have a tough battle in QFs. I don't see them getting through to the semis but you never know if they have a good day. Overall, I think it is a decent squad and should do well but would find it difficult to finish in top 4.