We won't win World Cup: Swann

"We won't win this World Cup," Swann told  BBC.

"In four years' time, we might have a chance if we get in all the exciting players who have none of the baggage of the old-style brand we play," he said.

Swann, who has retired from international cricket, said: "I used to sit in the changing room and always felt we were so far behind other teams because we play such an old-fashioned brand."

"Cook, Bell and Ballance are not players who will win you a World Cup. Hales will, as will James Vince, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler. They are players I wouldn't want to bowl at. Players who could potentially get you 360/370 on the board," he said.

Swann said he feels Alaister Cook should only captain the Test side.

"I love Cookie dearly," he said. "But I don't think he should be bothering playing one-day cricket anymore. He doesn't need to. He's proved a very good point in Test matches. He should just enjoy being England Test captain. Let in the young people who just want to smash it everywhere."

"He's not the guy who should be opening the batting in one-day cricket for England. Vince should be doing it with Hales in a young vibrant team with Eoin Morgan as captain," said Swann.

Meanwhile, the first one day match between India and England was abandoned on Monday due to relentless rains and wet ground conditions in Bristol.  

Australia and New Zealand will host the World Cup next year.

Image: Wikimedia Commons