Boycott predicts early exit for England in CT

London, Oct 14 (UNI) The injury-depleted England side stands virtually no chance in the Champions Trophy, according to Geoff Boycott, who would be rather surprised if Andrew Flintoof and co avoid an early exit and manage to do well in the mini World Cup.

Pointing out that the current side was without the services of Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Ashley Giles and Simon Jones, Boycott told BBC Sport, ''We don't have the quality reserves to shore up the better players being injured.

''The reserves do the best they can but it does lessen the team's quality when you have too many fill-in players,'' he opined.

England's recent ODI record has been unimpressive and whitewashed 5-0 by Sri Lanka before they managed a come from behind 2-2 series draw against Pakistan.

The likes of Jamie Dalrymple and Michael Yardy have been inducted but Boycott is not convinced about their long-term prospects.

''There is some exasperation for the hierarchy that they can never get the right people on the field. We're without so many good cricketers and people are being moved around to fill gaps. We don't know if England are a poor one-day side or quite a good one when all the players are fit.

''If we've got everybody fit, particularly Vaughan for his captaincy, we might be a lot better and be able to surprise ourselves that we're quite a decent one-day side, '' the batting great said.

England are in the tough group a along with world champions Australia and hosts India and Boycott fears they might be sent back early.

''They're in poor shape. Their one-day performances fluctuate from pretty poor to ordinary and then occasionally they surprise you with a good performance.

''Quite frankly, I'd be surprised if England do well here,'' he added.

Boycott believes pushing Filntoff up to open the innings and bat at number three might serve the team purpose.

''I don't have a problem with that because there's only two people out on the boundary, it's usually third man and fine leg, and he's a four-ball hitter anyhow. I think people have to play their natural game. It is his natural game to play shots. When he times the ball, it goes twice as quick as when someone like me times it because he's a big lad and it's difficult for the in-fielders to stop it.

''It's important to have a natural way of playing, then you're not looking to hit balls that aren't there to hit. That's how you get out,'' he said.

Boycott also sounded apprehensive about pace spearhead Steve Harmison's utility in the ODIs.

''He seems a smashing lad but I don't know where all that talent goes. He bowls a bit like Newcastle, the team he follows, play football. I don't think their great supporters know from one week to the next what they're going to get,'' explained Boycott in his inimitable style.

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