Given the paucity of winged activity during yesterday's match in Lens it would appear that most of the French team would have difficulty finding a cross in the Vatican, but according to statistics gathered by FIFA experts England, the USA and Chile been the most efficient at what is commonly known in manager-speak as `getting down the channels and putting t'ball in't back o' net'. However, despite their crossing ability, it also appears that England are the least sinister, with most of their crosses coming from the right.

Of the 60 crosses made by England in their three first round matches, 47 came from the right - with Graeme Le Saux's lonely patrol along the left touchline producing 13. Only USA (with 80 crosses) and Chile (63) have crossed the ball more than England but both those sides have shown roughly equal numbers from each wing.

The statistics are a reflection that Le Saux is the only left-footed player in the England squad.

Meanwhile, up front, Nigeria can claim to be the most exciting team with 49 shots, including 20 on target. The Dutch are most clinical - they have put 22 of their 31 shots on target and are second-top scorers with seven.

Romania have been the most wasteful team - 31 of their shots have been off-target - while Croatia perhaps the unluckiest, with four shots hitting the woodwork in their three group matches.