Sporting Life - England Cricket | Cricket World Cup, England News, England Scores, England Profiles, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood.

ENGLAND PROFILES

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Michael Vaughan (c)

Born: 29.10.1974
ODIs: 86
Role: Opening batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 27.15
Strike-Rate: 68.39
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 40.56
Economy: 4.89

The England captain's nightmare run with injuries continued in Australia when his comeback from knee surgery was interrupted by a hamstring tear. Vaughan is hardly the safest choice, given his knee problems over the last 15 months and mediocre batting record in ODIs. But he remains an inspirational captain and the only serious choice to lead England, fitness permitting.

Andrew Flintoff

Born: 06.12.1977
ODIs: 123
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 32.04
Strike-Rate: 87.43
Bowl: Right-arm fast
Average: 25.88
Economy: 4.38

So often England's inspiration and unquestionably the premier all-rounder in world cricket, Flintoff has endured an unenviable winter in Australia, but bounced back in fine style in the improbable CB Series win. If England are to make a lasting impression in the Caribbean, then Freddie - a matchwinner with bat and ball - will have to be at his ebullient best.

Andrew Strauss

Born: 02.03.1977
ODIs: 78
Role: Batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 31.98
Strike-Rate: 75.82
Bowl: Left-arm medium
Average: n/a
Economy: 3.00

Strauss has adapted his game to one-day cricket, scoring important runs both at the top of the order and in a "finishing" role in the middle-order. Will surely get another chance to skipper his country in the future, but for now must focus on his own game as one of England's senior pros, whether that be at number one or number four in the batting order.

Ed Joyce

Born: 22.09.1978
ODIs: 17
Role: Opening batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 27.70
Strike-Rate: 66.43
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

An Irish left-hander who spent four years qualifying and was then immediately struck by ill luck. Having flunked on debut against his countrymen in Belfast, he damaged his ankle in the Twenty20 clash with the Sri Lankans and was ruled out for six weeks. But impressive form in the CB Series, including a maiden international ton, confirmed Joyce as a player of promise at the top level.

Kevin Pietersen

Born: 27.06.1980
ODIs: 51
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 56.27
Strike-Rate: 91.46
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 93.00
Economy: 6.20

Averages well above 50 in one-day internationals and is arguably the most dangerous batsman on the planet when in form. Equalled Viv Richards' record of reaching 1,000 runs in 21 one-day innings and remains one of England's few match-winners. They need him more than anyone else to be fully fit - following his injury-enforced absence in Australia - if they are to be competitive in the Caribbean.

Ian Bell

Born: 11.04.1982
ODIs: 44
Role: Batsman
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 35.46
Strike-Rate: 68.53
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: 14.66
Economy: 6.00

Overlooked for long periods of his one-day career, which has seen him occupy seven batting positions already. Bell's accumulative style does not make him an obvious one-day option, but he has the game to complement the likes of Pietersen in the middle order and has performed consistently well in a struggling side over the last year. He's also a fine fielder and offers a bowling option with his underused medium-pacers.

Paul Collingwood

Born: 26.05.1976
ODIs: 121
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 34.89
Strike-Rate: 73.79
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: 37.90
Economy: 4.99

An automatic selection thanks to his all-round contributions. Canny batting is complemented by athleticism in the field, and he is the unlikely holder of England's best ODI figures of six for 31 with his innocuous medium-pacers. One of few England players with over 100 ODI caps, he showed his huge importance to the side with back-to-back tons in the CB Series.

Ravi Bopara

Born: 04.05.1985
ODIs: 9
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 34.40
Strike-Rate: 78.18
Bowl: Right-arm medium
Average: 25.00
Economy: 4.68

A young all-rounder of immense promise, Bopara is a surprise pick for the World Cup squad. Called up for the CB Series to cover injuries, he played just once but impressed with his nerveless bowling and exuberance in the field. Primarily a wristy middle-order batsman, his �multi-dimensional� ability got him the nod over Mal Loye, but Bopara will be used as back-up to Paul Collingwood.

Jamie Dalrymple

Born: 21.01.1981
ODIs: 27
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 19.48
Strike-Rate: 72.97
Bowl: Right-arm offspin
Average: 46.21
Economy: 4.72

A beneficiary of England's early-season selection problems last summer, the Middlesex all-rounder took full advantage and proved a rare success in the shambolic Sri Lanka series. Continued to impress during the CB Series in Australia, cementing his World Cup place by bowling his offspin tidily and chipping in with useful runs and crucial catches as England triumphed.

Paul Nixon

Born: 21.09.1970
ODIs: 19
Role: Wicketkeeper
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 21.21
Strike-Rate: 85.59
Bowl: n/a
Average: n/a
Economy: n/a

Leicestershire's evergreen wicketkeeper must have thought his international chance had gone, but he earned a surprise call-up for the CB Series and undoubtedly helped to lift a tires and jaded England side. Whether he is really a better option than the constantly-overlooked Chris Read remains open to debate, but Nixon will enjoy a surprisingly high-profile swansong to his career.

James Anderson

Born: 30.07.1982
ODIs: 66
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 6.35
Strike-Rate: 38.69
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 27.75
Economy: 4.79

Got to the 50-cap mark at the age of just 23 on the tour of India, where he confirmed himself as a bowler of real ability. At his best, he bowls with good pace, swings both new and old ball and offers control at both ends of the innings. Anderson remains prone to injuries and dramatic dips in form, but at his best is a crucial and effective member of the England side.

Stuart Broad

Born: 24.06.1986
ODIs: 6
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: n/a
Strike-Rate: 70.00
Bowl: Rt-arm fast-med
Average: 43.40
Economy: 5.20

Despite his genuine pace and aggression to match, Broad was left out of the original squad, presumably to avoid the sort of early pressure that has stunted so many international careers. Called up to replace Jon Lewis, Broad will most likely not play in the closing stages of the World Cup, but his promise means he should be a mainstay of the England attack for years to come.

Liam Plunkett

Born: 06.04.1985
ODIs: 25
Role: All-rounder
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 24.08
Strike-Rate: 86.52
Bowl: Right-arm fast
Average: 36.34
Economy: 5.95

Opportunity knocks for the Durham pace bowler. Plunkett has had a strange winter so far, accompanying but not representing England during their Ashes annihilation before coming good in the latter stages of the CB Series. His action appears more settled, and the result is more swing at greater pace although he remains erratic. Plunkett can also add useful and brisk runs down the order.

Sajid Mahmood

Born: 21.12.1981
ODIs: 25
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Average: 7.72
Strike-Rate: 84.15
Bowl: Rt-arm fast
Average: 38.89
Economy: 5.85

The mercurial Mahmood will surely start the World Cup at the back of England's fast-bowling queue. He has undoubted talent and can bowl unplayable deliveries that comfortably break the 90mph barrier but his lack of control make him a risky option. Played his part in England�s Lazarus-like CB Series triumph, but clearly slipped behind Plunkett in the pecking order.

Monty Panesar

Born: 25.04.1982
ODIs: 17
Role: Bowler
Bat: Left-hand
Average: 4.50
Strike-Rate: 18.36
Bowl: Left-arm slow
Average: 39.00
Economy: 4.52

Panesar's one-day debut was delayed, presumably because of doubts about how his occasionally hapless fielding and raw batting might fit into the gameplan. He has worked hard at all facets of his game and has a potential with the bat which it seems was not immediately spotted. His left-arm spin is tight and threatening enough to make him a decent one-day pick, and he could play a crucial role on lifeless Caribbean pitches.