This is England's best chance of winning the World Cup, says Mike Gatting

HUW TURBERVILL: The former England captain played in the 1983 tournament on home soil, and has vivid memories of all the finals at his beloved Lord's

Mike Gatting believes this is England’s best chance of winning the World Cup – but nominates New Zealand as the team that could push them all the way.

The former England captain played in the 1983 tournament on home soil, and has vivid memories of all the finals at his beloved Lord’s.

“One-day cricket is as good as it’s ever been – it’s quite incredible the way the format has blossomed again over the last few years – and it’s difficult to say who will come out on top this summer,” Gatting told The Cricketer.

“England have the strongest side they have ever had, and the inclusion of the exciting Jofra Archer is only going to strengthen that. England will not have a better opportunity to win it.

“I look at the squads and I do fancy New Zealand to do well though. You can no longer call them dark horses as their players are so experienced. They play some great cricket, they always play as a team, and they are well led by Kane Williamson. Ross Taylor is also a fine batsman, and in Tim Southee and Trent Boult they have match-winning bowlers.”

^{"You can no longer call them dark horses"}

Gatting also names India and West Indies as possible semi-finalists. “India cannot be discounted with their world-class talents, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, and I love the way Jason Holder has got the West Indies team playing together. Shai Hope and John Campbell are in tremendous form after that amazing opening stand (365) against Ireland, and Shannon Gabriel offers firepower with the ball.”

Gatting hopes this year’s final can match the one in 1983, when India shocked West Indies – a triumph that ignited their love affair with the game.

Mohinder Amarnath took 3 for 12 in seven overs as West Indies – who had won the previous two World Cups – slumped to 140 all out, when they only needed 184 to win. “Amarnath took vital wickets in that final. He was a very under-rated cricketer. He wasn’t quick but he bowled in the right areas and induced false shots. Kapil Dev led India well, and it was a fantastic final, with an unexpected result, a bit like Melbourne in 1992. I don’t know how Pakistan won that one. I don’t know how they even qualified. It was a bit like my beloved Tottenham!”

Gatting also recalls the final in 1979, when Mike Brearley and Geoffrey Boycott thought they had set England on course for victory. They posted an opening stand of 129 in 38 overs, leaving another 158 to win in 22 overs. Joel Garner took 5 for 38 as West Indies secured a 92-run win.

^{Jofra Archer will strengthen England, says Gatting}

“We didn’t have enough firepower against Garner’s toe-crunching yorkers,” said Gatting. “We had attacking players like Ian Botham and Wayne Larkins, and in this day and age such a chase like that would be more easily attainable. Viv Richards batted beautifully (138 not out) and I will never forget his catch at long-on to dismiss Beefy.

“It is great that the final is coming back to Lord’s (on July 14) and I just hope it’s a better contest than the 1999 one. Pakistan just didn’t turn up. They had a fine side, with players like Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, but Shane Warne (4 for 33) ended the contest before it began.” 

Gatting has seen Lord’s transformed since he first played there in 1975. “The Mound Stand, the Grandstand, the Gubby Allen, the Compton and Edrich and then the media centre have all changed in my time. Now they are going back to do the Compton and Edrich again and the plans look fantastic. 

“Eventually the south-west corner will be done, and I am also looking forward to the Nursery Ground being changed. The grass will go back to the picket fence and it will be a slightly bigger pitch, more like an oval, a bit like an Australian ground. It is going to look stunning.”

Gatting is hosting the Beyond the Boundary Tour at Lord’s on May 18, where guests get to experience the players’ walk from the dressing room on to the pitch, see inside the JP Morgan Media Centre and have a guided tour of the MCC Museum and pavilion. “I love that I have the opportunity to share Lord’s with others,” he said. “To share what I’ve had the opportunity to be part of for over 25 years and to help people understand why I think it’s such a special place is very exciting for me.” Marcus Trescothick will host the Players’ Dining Room Tour on June 17. To find out more and book a place visit lords.org/tours