Stuart Broad makes Australia favourites for the World Cup, but says any team that reaches the last eight can win the tournament.
England open their World Cup campaign against Australia on Valentine’s Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the first of their six group games for a place in the quarter-finals.
England also face Australia tomorrow in the Tri-Series, and will meet them again on February 1 if both make the final.
Speaking about the World Cup, which Australia are co-hosting with New Zealand, Broad said: “I think Australia will be favourites in their own back yard.
“In rugby you look at the All Blacks as an all-star team, they’d be automatic favourites. In cricket there isn’t that.
“I think every team can beat each other on their day. So if you get through the group stages, you’ve got the quarter-final, semi- and final to win the World Cup.
“I think whoever you get drawn against, you can win on that day. We can go in with a lot of confidence.”
England’s confidence is high after beating World Cup holders India on Tuesday, and another win tomorrow or versus India next Friday should see Eoin Morgan’s side into the Tri-Series showpiece.
What a win at The Gabba. @finnysteve was awesome so happy for him and our fielding was on fire! On to Hobart in the morning
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) January 20, 2015
Eliminating Australia or India, the top-two-ranked one-day international teams, would be an ideal start to a crucial year for England.
“We’ve got such a massive year,” Broad continued.
“The World Cup’s obviously the start of it. We’ve got a tour to the Caribbean, (the) New Zealand Test series, (the) Ashes. We’ve got everything coming up, so it’s going to be a hugely exciting year.”