'They can do something special in 2027': Michael Vaughan feels England can win second ODI World Cup in South Africa

'They can do something special in 2027': Michael Vaughan feels England can win second ODI World Cup in South Africa originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

• Michael Vaughan believes England have a genuine chance of winning the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
• Vaughan argued that franchise league winners get forgotten quickly compared to Ashes or World Cup glory that lasts forever.
• England head into a big year with the Ashes and World Cup, having recently won ODI series 2-1 against Sri Lanka and India.

Michael Vaughan reckons England are sitting on something genuinely special heading into 2027, and he's not shy about saying so.

The former England captain believes this current crop of players has what it takes to lift a second ODI World Cup, this time on South African soil, and he's using the moment to make a bigger point about what actually earns cricketers lasting recognition.

Speaking on BBC's Test Match Special, Vaughan drew a sharp line between winning franchise tournaments and winning for your country on the biggest stages. He pointed to The Hundred final as a fresh example of how quickly these results fade from memory.

"You want to be on that podium. In a year's time, you want to be on August the 2nd, on the podium with the Ashes in your hand, and you want to be in the latter stages of that World Cup in South Africa," he said.

"You know, people don't remember franchise winners. They may do in time, but at the minute, we know the Superchargers won the men's on Sunday; we know the Rockets won the women's tournament, but over time, you really have to gather your thoughts to remember the winners in the franchise league."

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That's exactly why Vaughan believes next year matters so much for this England group.

"But for an England cricketer to win an Ashes, to win the World Cup, you get remembered forever," he said. "And this group of players, on what they're going to play against, have got an incredible chance of doing something very, very special in 2027."

England were beaten 4-1 in their last Ashes series in Australia. It was a heavy defeat that's clearly stayed with Vaughan, and a fresh crack at reclaiming the urn should give the Three Lions real motivation heading into what could be a defining year for English cricket. 

England's one-day form has also been trending in the right direction lately, which only adds weight to Vaughan's optimism.

The side has picked up series wins against both Sri Lanka and India, each finishing 2-1 in England's favour. Those results suggest the squad is finding some consistency in the 50-over format ahead of the World Cup, which should give them a platform to build from as preparations for South Africa ramp up.

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Vaughan's confidence isn't just wishful thinking dressed up as punditry, as there's real substance behind it.

Winning back-to-back ODI series against quality opposition like India and Sri Lanka shows England aren't just competitive but are building form at the right time, heading into a year that could define this entire generation of players.

His broader point about franchise cricket versus international glory also rings true. The Hundred, the IPL, and similar leagues generate huge short-term buzz, but ask most fans a few years later who actually won a given season, and the memory fades fast.

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International triumphs, especially an Ashes win or a World Cup lift, get etched into cricket history in a completely different way as players who achieve them become permanent fixtures in the sport's folklore.

That said, optimism this early always carries risk. A lot can shift between now and 2027. Injuries, form dips, and tricky away conditions in South Africa, among them. Still, if England can carry their current ODI momentum forward and finally settle the score in the Ashes, Vaughan's prediction of "something very special" won't look far-fetched at all.

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