CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Brook on mission to end winter on a real high

- BY ANDY DUNN

PERHAPS it is post-Ashes disillusionment, perhaps it is the overload of white-ball cricket, perhaps it is the choice of broadcaster.

But England are about to take part in a World Cup semifinal and this fanatical sporting nation of ours appears to be a bit indifferent to it.

It is not just any World Cup semifinal - it is a semifinal against the mighty India in their own backyard.

Even though the hosts are odds-on favourites for today’s match, England - in stark contrast to their demeanour Down Under - are heading into what should be an epic contest with a swagger about them.

While a lot of focus during the disastrous Ashes was on Harry Brook's off-the-field conduct - particularly his altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand - the Yorkshire batsman’s leadership of the T20 team has taken them to within one game of the final.