England are just two victories away from the ICC Champions Trophy; they have never been in such a strong position to go and win it for the first time.
Most of the batsmen are on top form, the bowling looks potent from top to bottom & the fielding is among the world’s best.
The three wins to date have all been hugely convincing with different players stepping up to the plate when required.
Against Bangladesh it was Alex Hales & Joe Root to the fore, chasing down a then-tournament record of 2016. The Tigers are into the semi-finals, where they’ll face India.
The second match, against New Zealand in Cardiff, saw Jos Buttler inspire a late charge to 210 before the bowlers, led by Liam Plunkett’s four-wicket haul, defended it with ease.
And it was the turn of the Durham stars in knocking Australia out, with Mark Wood taking four wickets before Ben Stokes’ third ODI century downed the Aussies after England were reduced to 35/3. Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid also took 4/41.
And so England head into the semi-final against Pakistan tomorrow knowing a good performance should see them through, which will likely be a rematch of the 2013 final against India.
The Three Lions have an impressive record at Cardiff & have been beaten only twice in 11 matches in Wales, but it was only last year when Pakistan chased down 303 to beat England there.
Sarfraz Ahmed, the hero against Sri Lanka, make 90 that day & will be key towards their hopes of victory.
Pakistan scraped through Group B & should be no all-round match for England, even if their seam attack of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan & Hasan Ali is an impressive one.
By next week, our own Paul Collingwood may not be the only England captain to have lifted a major trophy.