ENGLAND might not be among the favourites, but selector Mick Newell believes they can make the World Cup semi-finals - and maybe go all the way. Alastair Cook's removal as captain and some encouraging performances in the Tri-Series with India and Australia appear to have given way to an air of cautionary optimism among the wider public. Nottinghamshire director of cricket Newell is also in a positive mood ahead of England's opening game against Australia, which started in the early hours of this morning. "I think performances against India and the West Indies (in a warm-up game) in particular have given some confidence that England might be a better team than people thought going into Christmas," he said. "If we can get out the group and into the knockout phase then anything can happen. You perhaps wouldn't want to play South Africa in the quarter-finals so it's important not to finish fourth if possible. "The first two games are probably the hardest so if they can win one of them that would set them up well for the tournament to come. "I think the semi-finals are a reasonable goal and like I say, if you get that far, anything can happen." If Peter Moores' team are successful then Newell feels experience will be key. In a squad where that is a limited commodity compared with other teams, he believes batsman Ian Bell (155 ODIs) and seamer James Anderson (188 ODIs) must deliver. "England's two most experienced players are probably the most important," he said. "Anderson is crucial. He's established as one of the best new ball bowlers in the world – someone who can really set a team back if he gets going. "Ian Bell is absolutely vital. We've seen what a good player he is with some recent innings and he is someone who can lay a platform while scoring at a good rate." The squad has three Notts representatives, although batsman Alex Hales looks set to miss out on a starting place at the top of the order. Newell says the explosive opener could yet have a key role to play though. "It might be hard for Alex initially. It certainly looks like he's not going to be playing," he said. "He needs to be patient. You don't know what will happen as a player. An injury could give him his chance so he needs to be ready." While Hales is poised for a watching brief, batsman James Taylor and seamer Stuart Broad could be key players. Broad appears to have quashed any doubts over his fitness after returning from injury, while Taylor has quickly established himself after being called into the squad for the recent tour of Sri Lanka. "Stuart has come back in and looked good. He's quickly re-established himself as the senior bowler alongside Anderson after coming back from his injury, so that's pleasing to see," said Newell. "Titch (Taylor) has done very well since getting in. He's shown a level head and proved he can be not out at the end of an innings, which is very useful. They can have good tournaments."
World Cup team by team verdict
Pool A
Afghanistan
"I think they'll want to win a game. If they can do that it will have been a good experience for them."
Post's one to watch: Hamid Hassan Post prediction: Group exit
Australia
"They've got good fast bowling combined with aggressive batting. "A balanced line-up and will look to win it."
Post's one to watch: Mitchell Johnson Post prediction: Semi-final
Bangladesh
"They'll be targeting the games against England and Sri Lanka to get them through to the knockout phase".
Post's one to watch: Shakib Al Hasan Post prediction: Group exit
England
"Will want to avoid a quarter-final with South Africa. Anything is possible if they get into the knockout rounds."
Post's one to watch: James Taylor Post prediction: Semi-final
New Zealand
"They're my tip to win it if I was pushed into picking a team. They'll be comfortable at home but there's more to them."
Post's one to watch: Brendon McCullum Post prediction: Winners
Scotland
"I think they'll see themselves as possible quarter-finalists with some experienced county players in the team."
Post's one to watch: Matt Cross (ex-Notts) Post prediction: Group exit
Sri Lanka
"A quality one day team for a long time. They'll fancy their chances if they get out the group."
Post's one to watch: Kumar Sangakkara Post prediction: Quarter-final
Pool B
India
"Been poor all winter but they've got too much quality to not make the quarters. Still dangerous."
Post's one to watch: Virat Kohli Post prediction: Quarter-final
Ireland
"Peaked before the tournament possibly. They'll certainly look at the West Indies and think they can beat them."
Post's one to watch: Ed Joyce Post prediction: Last eight
Pakistan
"You never know with them. They've got so much talent so they are a team that could go far still if they perform."
Post's one to watch: Shahid Afridi Post prediction: Last eight
South Africa
"Team to avoid in the quarter-finals. They've got so much quality and will definitely want to lift the trophy."
United Arab Emirates
Post's one to watch: AB de Villiers Post prediction: Runner-up "With Franksy (Notts' Paul Franks) coaching they've got no chance! I think they'll look at trying to win a game."
Post's one to watch: Amjad Ali Post prediction: Group exit
West Indies
"I really fear for them. It could be a real disaster. If Chris Gayle fires they can still do better than predictions though."
Post's one to watch: Chris Gayle Post prediction: Group exit
"They're a dangerous team. They've not been playing much cricket and that makes them an interesting side."
Zimbabwe
Post's one to watch: Brendan Taylor Post prediction: Group exit
Mick Newell's ones to watch in the World Cup
FOUR of the top batsmen on the planet have been tipped to light up the World Cup by Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell. The England selector has singled out the captains of South Africa and New Zealand -AB De Villiers (pictured) and Brendan McCullum – along with Australia's David Warner and India star Virat Kohli. Despite picking out batsmen, Newell does not believe bowlers are in for a miserable time when the tournament gets into full swing, especially in the games in New Zealand as they play host along with Australia. "They're all quality players. We've seen them all destroy teams. They're potential match winners," he said. "Picking them makes it seem like it will be a batsman's tournament but I'm not sure it will, especially in New Zealand. The weather there brings spinners and medium pacers into play. "That makes interesting and surprising results more likely than in Australia perhaps." The tournament might be taking place on the other side of the world, but that has not dampened Newell's enthusiasm as he prepares for limited sleep until the end of March. "I'm really looking forward to it. There's a real buzz about it. I'm looking forward to lots of late night and early morning TV," he said. "Hopefully they showcase it well and it's a great occasion for cricket."
