Steve Harmison insists England will never have a better chance of winning the Cricket World Cup.
The 2019 tournament gets underway when the hosts, who are favourites for the first time, face South Africa at The Oval on Thursday.
England have come close on three occasions before, beaten in the final in 1979, 1987 and 1992.
“If they don’t win it now, they will never win it,” Harmison told talkSPORT. “We will never ever win the World Cup if we don’t this time as I think we’ve got the best side we could possibly have.
“In 20 years’ time when we are talking about the greats of one-day cricket – there are a few of them in this side.
“England have a fantastic unit and it will need an element of luck, which can be a coin toss, but if a world-class player gets 150 against you in the semi-final or final then you have to say good on them.
“But I think England have played enough cricket now to understand, especially after the Champions Trophy with the disappointment, what is happening in certain points in games where they can change the tide.”
England are number one in the world for a reason and have dismantled most sides who they have played over the last few years.
There is a weight of expectation – but Harmison does not expect this to affect the players.
He said: “I think they will enjoy the favourites tag. They are led by probably the best one-day captain, and arguably the best captain, England have ever had.
“He’s quite level-headed and does not get flustered under pressure.
“Individually, you never know what is going on inside people’s minds and how they are feeling at any given day going into the tournament.
“I think they have played enough cricket now, as individuals and as a team, and they have worked hard enough for four years for it not to go south because of people panicking and getting scared of the occasion.
“I don’t see that happening. It would just be a case now of fulfilling their skills because the preparation has been brilliant and it comes down to a bit of luck.
“They will need a bit of luck in the latter part of the tournament will be whether England get to the semi-final, final or actually win it.”
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The former England international, who played 58 ODIs for his country, sees a threat from every team in the World Cup.
The 2019 competition has been reduced to 10 teams with a round robin group stage before the knockout rounds.
“I think they are all a threat – even down to Afghanistan,” Harmison added. “If they get a score on the board then you have the two spinners Mujeeb and Rashid Khan who can really tie team down.
“Sri Lanka have surprised me and scored a few runs while in England. I thought they were going to be a shambles, there is always one.
“The West Indies could go and get beaten by Afghanistan and then get 400 against a very potent New Zealand bowling attack.
“That’s without mentioning two of the other three semi-finalists in India and Australia.
“India are a fine, fine side. It looks as if they’ve gone through the motions a little bit since they’ve been in England. But their big game stars have been out for a hit before the tournament and I don’t expect them to be like that during the World Cup.
“If Australia bowl with fire then they’ve arguably got one of the best bowling units in the tournament.
“I think it will be one from the West Indies, South Africa or New Zealand who will be chasing that fourth spot.
“Hopefully England finish in top spot and will be playing one of the ones who cling on.
“An England vs Australia or England vs India semi-final could be dangerous. I think I would rather get them in the final.”
England face South Africa in the opener at The Oval on Thursday, which starts at 10.30am.
South Africa will be without Dale Steyn as he has not recovered from a shoulder injury in time.
Harmison said: “I think it is a good game to get England off to a good start. With no Dale Steyn, which is a good thing, and AB de Villiers retiring, we are not sure what we are going to get from South Africa.
“They have a fantastic bowling attack in Ngidi and Rabada, and if you stick Steyn in there when he is fit, then you have a match for the England and Australia attacks.
“For me, it’s whether South Africa can get enough runs on the board. At The Oval, it’s a big scoring ground, and if England get 350-plus, then I don’t think South Africa will get that.”
Harmison will be hosting a phone-in live on talkSPORT 2 between 7pm and 8pm on Thursday following the England match.