Adelaide, Jan 26: Australia were red-hot World Cup favourites, but co-host South Africa were a major threat and Pakistan a potential wildcard, England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher said here today. Fletcher said England's form had improved steadily during their Australian tour, several players were coming back from injury and his team were capable of giving top sides a "fright" on their day.
"Australia must be favourite," Fletcher said of the side that beat England for the 13th consecutive time in one-day internationals in yesterday's second tri-nations series final at Melbourne cricket ground.
"But I think South Africa have shown they are pretty good over the last few years.
"They were pretty unsettled about nine months ago, but they've settled down now.
"And you should never forget sides like Pakistan, they are a very dangerous side," he told reporters.
Fletcher said England's failure to beat Australia in a one-day international this season would not play on their mind when they met again in the World Cup. Bureau Report