Chris Woakes believes home advantage stacks the odds in India’s favour at the World Cup but insists his England side are motivated to “knock them off their perch”.
The last three editions of the tournament have all gone the way of the host nations, with India lifting their last global title in Mumbai in 2011, followed by Australia in Melbourne in 2015 and England at Lord’s four years ago.
India have done little to reduce their status as pre-competition favourites, kicking off their campaign with heavy wins over Afghanistan and Australia, while Asian rivals Pakistan also have two wins from two.
But Woakes, who was part of Eoin Morgan’s triumphant team in 2019 and is looking for a repeat performance, is not overawed.
“It’s an incredibly tough challenge to win in India. Naturally, I think the sub-continental teams will feel more at home with the conditions,” he said.
“That makes it extremely hard for us to knock them off their perch, so to speak. But we’ve got the squad and the players to be able to compete. People have looked at us for a while and we’ve had a little bit of a target on our back as a white-ball team, around the world.
“It’s a tough competition to win isn’t it? Especially here. But we’ll give it a good crack. We’re taking it each game as it comes.
“Naturally, people have got expectations of us and we’ve certainly got our own expectations of ourselves.”
England’s defence is back on track after they followed an opening defeat to New Zealand with a 137-run success over Bangladesh, with their shifting fortunes exemplified by Woakes’ own figures.
The 34-year-old was off the pace against the Black Caps, leaking 45 runs in six wicketless overs, but warmed to his work on Tuesday night, opening his account with the wickets of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tigers top-scorer Liton Das.
Unfancied Afghanistan are next, in Delhi on Sunday, with Woakes eager to continue his upward trajectory.
“It’s the start of a long tournament,” he said. “I certainly feel that I would’ve liked to have bowled a little bit better but they are long competitions and you don’t want to peak too soon, I suppose.
“I have built into tournaments in the past and into series, which I suppose holds me in good stead moving forward. But you contribute every time you go out in the field so I’ll be working hard in practice to try and make sure that I’m on the money when I get the opportunity.”
Woakes also had his say on the news that cricket was on the cusp of making its return to the Olympic Games, having last appeared as a one-game showcase in 1900.
The Warwickshire all-rounder does not expect to be around for Los Angeles 2028, but is enthusiastic about the sport moving onto a new stage.
“I don’t think I’ll be playing at that age, but I think it would be great,” he said.
“Getting the game in front of more people is what we need to do. For a sport that I’ve played since I was a child, to be a part of the Olympics would be amazing for me.
“To be sat at home watching the lads taking on the rest of the world as an Olympic sport would be massive for the game. The more people that we can get watching it and maybe looking to take it up the better, and growing the game around the world is hugely important.”
Global Super League trophy unveiled
The trophy for ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) has been unveiled by Guyana’s President, His Excellency President Dr Mohammad Irfan Ali and shown to the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at a cricket event which was part of the Indian leader’s state visit to Guyana. GSL Chairman, Sir Clive Lloyd and Guyanese cricket great Alvin Kallicharran were also in attendance for the ceremony.
The trophy has been inspired by Guyana’s 276 discovered waterfalls including the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, the largest single drop waterfall in the world and has been designed by Indian company Loka Lifestyle.
Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of GSL, said: “The Global Super League is South America’s first standalone T20 tournament and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase beautiful Guyana to the rest of the world. With that in mind it is very fitting that the trophy highlights Kaieteur Falls, one of the most stunning landmarks in the region. We are looking forward to seeing which of the five competing teams will claim the trophy on 6th December.”
The Global Super League will see teams from Australia, Bangladesh, England, Guyana and Pakistan competing for the trophy and a US$1million prize pool. The tournament runs from 26 November to 6 December with all matches taking place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Zimbabwe crush Pakistan in rain-affected ODI series opener
Zimbabwe's spinners took centre-stage as they earned a crushing 80-run victory over Pakistan in the teams' rain-affected ODI opener on Sunday.
Torrential rain, thunder and lightning halted play after 21 overs of the Pakistan innings, with the tourists toiling at 60-6 after bowling Zimbabwe out for 205.
Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza each scalped two wickets apiece as no Pakistan batter surpassed the 19 runs managed by Mohammad Rizwan.
The dismal weather would ensure no further play was possible, with Pakistan having completed the requisite 20 overs to ensure a result would be declared, ensuring Zimbabwe won on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Richard Ngarava had earlier top-scored for Zimbabwe with a steady 48 off 52 balls, with Raza adding an important 39 from 56 deliveries after the hosts had been dropped to 99-5.
Salman Agha and Faisal Akram finished with three wickets apiece for Pakistan, but it was not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from being declared comfortable victors, with their total some way clear of the DLS par score of 141.
Data Debrief: Zimbabwe end Bulawayo hoodoo
Zimbabwe's victory may not have come in the circumstances they would have envisaged, but it did end their dismal run against Pakistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
They had lost each of their previous eight matches against Pakistan at the venue, only winning one of their last nine there overall (one draw, seven defeats), after winning three of their previous four.
They will hope to carry this momentum into Tuesday's second match at the same venue, as they bid to clinch victory in the three-match series.
Cricket West Indies to review playing conditions after Super50 Cup Final ends in double forfeit
The 2024 CG United Super50 Cup ended in unprecedented fashion on Saturday, as both finalists, Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride, forfeited the final after their captains failed to attend the scheduled coin toss. As a result, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has declared that there will be no champion for this year’s tournament.
The anticlimactic conclusion followed what had been an exciting and competitive tournament, leaving organizers, fans, and players stunned. The forfeiture occurred after a heavily rain-affected day at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago, where persistent showers delayed the start of play.
Despite the delays, match officials confirmed that the game could proceed as a 20-over-a-side contest if play commenced by 6:17 PM. Both teams were informed that the toss would be held at 6:00 PM to facilitate the adjusted start time. However, neither captain appeared for the toss, leading to both teams failing to take the field and the final being ruled a double forfeit.
In a statement, CWI announced plans to review the tournament regulations following the unprecedented events. According to the playing conditions, if no play was possible due to rain, both teams would have been declared co-champions. However, as conditions were deemed playable, the failure of both teams to take the field resulted in the forfeiture.
“These unanticipated events highlight the need for a thorough review of the playing conditions to prevent a recurrence of such situations,” CWI said. “Further consultation with stakeholders will determine the necessary adjustments to the regulations.”
The conclusion marred what had been a tournament filled with memorable moments and outstanding performances. Barbados Pride secured their spot in the final with a commanding 153-run victory over defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, while Jamaica Scorpions cruised past the Leeward Islands Hurricanes with a 107-run win in their semifinal.
The round-robin phase produced several thrilling matches, including Barbados Pride’s nail-biting one-wicket win over Guyana, thanks to debutant Demetrius Richards’ unbeaten 65, and their eight-run victory over the Windward Volcanoes, with captain Kyle Mayers starring in a dramatic final over.
Individual brilliance was on full display throughout the tournament. Justin Greaves of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes made history as the first West Indian to score three consecutive List A centuries, with scores of 111*, 112, and 151*. Meanwhile, standout bowling performances from Rahkeem Cornwall (6/20), Khary Pierre (4/8), and Yannic Cariah underscored the importance of spin in Caribbean conditions. Emerging batting talent also shone, with Carlos Brown’s maiden List A century (121) and Matthew Nandu’s 116 highlighting the depth of future West Indian stars.
The forfeiture also impacted the tournament’s financial outcomes. The champions were set to receive US$100,000, while the runners-up were to earn US$50,000. Both semi-finalists will receive US$25,000 each.
CWI is expected to release additional information after completing its review, as the cricketing community reflects on an unforgettable—but ultimately disappointing—conclusion to the region’s premier 50-over competition.
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