ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – My Predictions
➦How
they reacted to Pakistan's pathetic show against West Indies in WC clash
Pakistan
have been destroyed by the short ball today - and they have just refused to
learn. They've attacked roughly half of the short balls they've faced, despite
the fact that they've now lost six wickets to those deliveries. Remarkable
unwillingness to adapt.
Pakistan Attacking
small percentage
➦ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – My Predictions
The atmosphere at home, on
the streets and at the stadiums in England and Wales are about to get a lot
more vociferous. And we all know why because on 30th May the ICC Cricket World
Cup is back. Fans, and even the ones who don’t come under the ‘cricket freak’
bracket, are super excited about this mega or should I say, blockbuster event.
While the whole world awaits this grand showdown, I’m pretty sure people have
already made their predictions on who will be crowned champions of the world on
14th July. And so have I, I have made my predictions too. So, here you go.
Semi-finalists
Predicting
semi-finalists are tough, but I’ve somehow managed to get my four. Many of you
may not agree with a couple of my picks, but hey, this is MY prediction, right?
Well, without further delay, let me begin.
England
First and foremost, you cannot look beyond the host country
England. They are undoubtedly the team to beat and have arguably the best 15
member squad at the world cup. No matter what the total is, they seem to be
chasing anything or everything. Even when batting first, they are setting
daunting targets to their opponents. With the form that they are in, I’m sure
every person has England in their top 4; and so do I. It’s so so hard to look
past them. Eoin Morgan and co. are firm favourites to not only make the top 4,
but win the cup as well.
Player to Watch Out
For: Jofra Archer
India
The men in blue haven’t had a great outing the last time they
were in national colours. Australia had beaten them in an ODI series, that too
in their own backyard. But every team goes through these lean patches and India
will hope they can turn their fortunes around. Boasting of arguably the best
batter (Virat Kohli) and best death bowler (Jasprit Bumrah) in their ranks,
India have a formidable line-up. With MSD in prime form, and Rohit Sharma and
Shikhar Dhawan (man of ICC tournaments) in good nick too, India are certain top
4 finishers. If Kohli and Bumrah are at their best (on most days they are),
they could give England a run for their money. Furthermore, Bumrah will be
desperate to make things right, especially after that no-ball debacle in
England vs Pakistan a couple of years ago.
Player to Watch Out
For: Jasprit Bumrah
Australia
If you asked me a few months ago, I wouldn’t have had Australia
in my Dark Horses list, let alone top 4. But their spectacular recent form
against India and Pakistan (whitewashing them 5-0 in UAE) proves that the
5-time world champions, can never be overlooked. They know how to get
themselves in form when the mega event gets closer. Also, with the returning of
David Warner and Steve Smith, Australia look a much more stronger unit. And of
course, last world cup’s man of the tournament Mitchell Starc will be raring to
repeat his heroics. Australia are in form and there’s no reason why this team
can pocket a record 6th title.
Player to Watch Out
For: David Warner
South Africa
This team, over the past few world cups has always had a strong
squad; but more often than not disappointed their fans and has been called
“chokers” for stumbling at the wrong time. But this is a fresh year, and with
fresh new hope, South Africa has another solid team led by a gun player in Faf
du Plessis. Enough firepower with both bat and ball, South Africa would want
nothing else than a silverware at the end of the event. But for that, their key
and in-form players (Kagiso Rabada, Quinton De Kock, and Imran Tahir) will have
to perform.
Player to Watch Out
For: Kagiso Rabada
Dark
Horses
Perhaps even tougher than predicting the semi-finalists are
predicting the dark horses of the tournament. I’ve picked three teams who can
potentially sneak into the top four.
Pakistan
The year 2019
hasn’t be kind to Pakistan cricket with just two ODI victories to their name
and that too way way back in January (vs South Africa). Despite their poor lull
in form, Pakistan are still a force to be reckoned with. Who can forget their
famous Champions Trophy 2017 triumph (that too in England), and that too when
nobody give them a chance. Hence, you cannot rule them out and despite their
recent series loss to England (0-4 loss), their batting seems to be in great
form. They’re certainly the dark horses for the World Cup.
Player to Watch Out
For: Babar Azam
New
Zealand
Another team who can rub shoulders with the best is New Zealand.
The Kiwis enter the World Cup on the back of two ODI series whitewash of Sri
Lanka and Bangladesh. Though the team they have beaten aren’t that threatening,
their warm-up match win against India certainly gives us reasons to believe
that this Kane Williamson-led side cannot be taken lightly. With Trent Boult in
form and Williamson at his best (as always), New Zealand are definitely one of
the dark horses.
Player to Watch Out
For: Trent Boult
West
Indies
The entertainers of cricket, the West Indies cannot be
overlooked even for a wee bit. A team boasting of numerous powerhitters, they
can demolish any given attack on their day. Though the format is not T20
cricket, Windies can never be ruled out in the limited overs format. With many
in form especially Andre Russell, Chris Gayle and upcoming young talents in
Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, West Indies are heading to the world cup to
emulate the heroics of 1975 and 1979. Will they be successful? Only time shall
tell.
Player to Watch Out
For: Andre Russell
Wooden Spooners
Nobody likes
to enter a tournament as being tagged as the least favourites to win the world
cup. And tbh, even I don’t think it is fair to keep a section like this. But
then, someone will be finishing as the wooden spooners and hence, this segment.
Afghanistan
This Afghanistan team has enjoyed immense success in the past 12
to 18 months and they continue to head upwards. With top players like Mohammad
Shahzad, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Hazratullah Zazai in their ranks, they
can spring a surprise or two. But despite all that, it is hard to expect
Afghanistan to win games on the bounce. Another thing that goes against them is
a big change at the helm. With Gulabin Naib being named skipper prior to the
start of the world cup puts immense pressure on him. And not having enough
experience of captaining a side at the international level, gives me second
thoughts about this team having a decent campaign.
Player to Watch Out
For: Rashid Khan
I’m sure people will be surprised to see me pick Bangladesh as
one of the favourites to finish last at the world cup, especially after their
emphatic tri-series win over Ireland and West Indies. As a team Bangladesh have
grown in leaps and bounds, no doubt. And even look strong with the likes
Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al-Hasan, Tamim Iqbal in top form. But the world cup
pressure is a different ball game, and personally, I don’t see Bangladesh
coping up with the pressure especially in English conditions.
Player to Watch Out
For: Shakib Al-Hasan
Srilanka
A team who has always entered a world cup with plenty of hope,
enter the 2019 world cup with barely any hope of even winning a single match.
With ODI whitewashes in South Africa and New Zealand, Sri Lanka picked up their
solitary ODI win of the year just recently, that too against a team like
Scotland. Even before the world cup commences, Sri Lanka look down and out and
are hot favourites to end up as the wooden spooners (I hope they prove me wrong).
Will they end up there; only time will tell.
Player to Watch Out
For: Thisara Perera
And that’s a
wrap. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The biggest
carnival in sports is helding. I’m excited; are you?
0 Comments