World Cup 2019: Sunil Gavaskar jokes about England team, calls it ‘Rest of the World’ side

When France won the football World Cup last year, a lot was being said about their black players. Had that diluted France’s feat of winning their second title? And cricket too saw a similar version recently when former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said, albeit jokingly, that the hosts of the current World Cup, England, also have a history of fielding players who are not born on their soil.

Eoin Morgan, who is the first cricketer to lead England in two successive World Cups (2015 and 2019), is born in Ireland and has also made his international debut for that country before shifting to England. Jofra Archer, the cricketer England have been eyeing for a long time to field in the World Cup, is born in the West Indies.

Even England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes who played a big role in his side’s win over South Africa in the opening game of this World Cup is born in New Zealand and Jason Roy, who was born in South Africa and is the English unit’s opener.  In the past, too, England had cricketers like Allan Lamb, Robin Smith, Graeme Hick, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Lewis and others who were not born in England but went on to represent the Three Lions on the international stage.

Speaking at Salaam Cricket 2019, Gavaskar, 69, branded England as a ‘Rest of the World’ side and expected that it will meet India in the final of the World Cup at Lord’s on July 14. “England have played 6 to 7 cricketers. Their captain is Irish… Jofra Archer came from the West Indies a few years ago,” the original Little Master was quoted as saying.

India’s worry will be the fifth bowler, feels Gavaskar

Gavaskar also threw some light on what he thinks is India’s only worry in this tournament. He said India has good four bowlers but the fifth bowling option could be a concern. On the form of India’s famed openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, Gavaskar believed they will be back among runs soon.

England was off to a flyer in the World Cup by crushing South Africa by 104 runs at the Oval on May 30. Morgan’s side will be playing Pakistan in their second match at Trent Bridge on Monday and are looking favourites in this game as well. England will play India at Edgbaston on June 30.