Former England captain Eoin Morgan said winning the Cricket World Cup in India would be a bigger achievement than when the side won on home soil four years ago.
Morgan, who retired from international cricket last year, said white-ball captain Jos Buttler had not been given the same level of support in the buildup to the World Cup that England have had in the past.
"Between 2015 and 2019, our focus was to win the ODI World Cup at home," Morgan said. "There was a clear emphasis on having your best players available in the year leading up and trying to get absolute role clarity in every position possible. Jos has not had that."
England will begin the defense of their title today in Ahmedabad against New Zealand.
Morgan said there had been a switch in focus to the longer format of the game.
"There has been a complete change in mindset in English cricket where Test cricket is now the out-and-out priority," he said.
"On very few occasions in Twenty20 internationals and ODIs has Jos had his best side available."
Morgan added that the reduced support for white-ball cricket, coupled with the challenge of playing a tournament in unfamiliar conditions, meant this year's World Cup is more challenging for England.
"It would...be a bigger achievement for England to win this World Cup than when we won in 2019," Morgan said. "The schedule has not allowed them to have the type of preparation they would like and being away from home, especially...where India are so strong, is tough."
New Zealand's Tim Southee will miss today's opening match due to an injured thumb, stand-in-skipper Tom Latham said.
The Black Caps will also be without captain Kane Williamson, out with a knee injury.
