Even Morgan, the most measured of captains in England's history, does not reckon he will get a good night's sleep on Wednesday. © Getty

With just one sleep to go, the UK is primed for the 2019 World Cup. Thanks to a relentless marketing drive, talk of the tournament has reached unexpected levels, including among those not usually drawn to the game.

Eoin Morgan is well aware of this because, well, he has started to be recognised on the London Underground. "It has been happening for the last couple of weeks," reveals the England captain. "Certainly on the tube I've been getting attention which is rare. Normally I get left alone on the tube which is nice!"

If people are excited, it's because the hosts are expected to be there or thereabouts when the tournament concludes in six weeks at Lord's. And at the very least, they are a team who play the sort of entertaining cricket that casual, even new fans of the sport can enjoy. For that, Morgan doesn't mind the interruptions on his commute too much.

"People are just so excited and want to talk. There is a lot of good faith going around from the public with people just looking forward to the tournament and being excited about the whole summer ahead. As a team we're as excited and we're ready to give it a good crack."

Even Morgan, the most measured of captains, certainly in England's history, does not reckon he will get a good night's sleep on Wednesday. There will be something to obsess over - "thinking about something that might crop up.'' But the starting XI will not be one of them.

Cards were kept close to the chest, with Morgan revealing he had a good idea of the team but he was not going to give it out early. Everyone will have to wait until 10am on Thursday morning when he hands his designated XI over at the toss. Mark Wood is expected to sit out after recovering from a worrisome calf, with Liam Plunkett joining a bowling attack of Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Ben Stokes.

Then again, Tom Curran has done a lot in his short career to make Morgan think twice. "The guys give us so many options and their strengths are in different areas. That was the purpose of selecting such a strong squad, to make every player able to facilitate different areas of the game."

The captain himself was also a worry, dislocating his left index finger last Friday. But a 20-minute bat before his pre-match press conference went well ensuring a full bill of health for the 15.

As far as opening matches go, they could have an easier draw. But in South Africa, they have a team who boast one of the best attacks in the competition, even with Dale Steyn sitting out: exactly the kind of attack that could seriously put the brakes on England's freewheelers. Faf du Plessis has been at his crafty best deflecting attention from his talented group. Morgan, though, is under no illusions. Even if England are favourites, they are still vulnerable.

"In my head, there is still a lot more to do because we will get beaten by teams. We will get knocked down and have to come back. And if we're showing blind belief and not reacting to what is in front of us then that is no good."

Vulnerable but learning, especially from their missteps in the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy.

"We need to be able to react and get better as the tournament goes on. It will throw up something to test us, maybe being five down early or chasing 150 we're eight down for 100, there will be something like that.

"We'll need to be open minded as to how we tackle each game."

At long last, after four years of rediscovery and a month of expectation, the talking can stop. Come 10:30am at the Oval on Thursday, the action can finally begin. Now it's time for England to walk the walk.