If England can capture World Cup, look out Australia as euphoria sweeps across trophy-starved land

Australia beware! There might be a tsunami heading in their direction. The raucous celebrations that rocked Edgbaston could echo through a suddenly treacherous Ashes summer, writes Robert Craddock.

The quirky thing about England playing New Zealand in Sunday night’s World Cup cricket final is that the mighty All Blacks helped shape the blueprint which got them there.

We are talking England here, not the All Blacks’ home country New Zealand.

Australia may have had sandpapergate, but England had their own crisis which prompted them to lift their previously shoddy disciplinary standards.

When Ben Stokes was involved in a punch-up outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017, England realised their working environment had turned sour.

So Joe Root and Eoin Morgan researched the cultures that worked in sport and even consulted author James Kerr, who wrote a book called Legacy about the All Blacks’ leadership structure.

Kerr spoke about humility and giving everyone a chance to buy in to major decisions. Morgan looked into this point deeply, and noted all All Black players had a say in changing the team haka.

Morgan and Root sat down with overhead transparencies and delivered a lecture about team culture to their squad.

Hard though it is to write, English cricket has got what it deserved. Thoughtful planning has reaped its just rewards.

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No one took more of a battering in the semi-final than Australia's Alex Carey, who was struck by the ball.

Australian cricket fans may lament their team’s demise but this was not Australia’s time.

Australia, their players, selectors and coaching staff, including mentor Justin Langer, performed soundly but there was always a feeling Australia were snatching for success and filling gaps on the run, where England had planned for it.

White-ball cricket became England’s priority — even above Tests — when they were poleaxed by New Zealand in the last World Cup, bowled out for 123 before the Kiwis scorched to victory in 12 overs.

Joe Root smashes another delivery as England easily chased down Australia’s soft total.

They gave specific white-ball contracts, demanded better fitness levels and spent a fortune on reinvigorating their team for this World Cup.

As a consequence a new brand of debonair cricketer emerged, like the fearless Jason Roy, and England managed seven centuries this World Cup compared to 11 in the last 11 Cups.

Battered Australia must now beware the tsunami heading in their direction.

The raucous celebrations that rocked Edgbaston on Thursday could echo through a suddenly treacherous Ashes summer.

England's Adil Rashid (right) celebrates with England's Ben Stokes the wicket of Australia's Alex Carey for 46.

A five-Test Ashes series starts in 19 days and the bad news for Australia is that England are now up and about.

If they win Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand, giving their side the trophy for the first time, it will send a wave of euphoria through the entire trophy-starved country.

So often after major title wins, teams say they felt like wanting to play again. This time, to Australia’s lament, they can.

Incredible talent Jason Roy tears into the Australian bowlers.

Of course the Ashes will be a different format and some different personnel, but players such as Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root will jump formats.

And, significantly, the supporters are the same.

Australia’s last eight series in England have been split into two contrasting categories.

The first four of them, from 1989-2001, they won, before England turned the tide in 2005 and won the next four.

Australia’s wins were generally by landslide margins. English crowds are never silenced but Australia took the edge off their boisterousness with commanding wins.

The worry for Australia’s Ashes tourists this time is that a World Cup win — deemed a greater achievement than the Ashes in England — will embolden the local team and their fans.

Australia's Alex Carey stood tall when it counted as most of his teammates fell away.

THE GOOD

Alex Carey’s World Cup. His nerveless batting was superb. His effort to launch an Australian middle-order revival against England with blood dripping off his chin after being hit by a bouncer was pure character.

THE BAD

World Cup commentators underplaying or failing to mention the stunningly loud jeering that accompanied Steve Smith to the crease. It’s part of the game folks. Just call it.

THE UGLY

Just the fact that Australia would save its worst for last in the World Cup. England were brilliant but Australia had a shocker at the time when it mattered most and leave the tournament deflated.

Originally published as If England can capture World Cup, look out Australia as euphoria sweeps across trophy-starved land