ICC Cricket World Cup

Semi-finalists Prediction

The 2019 Cricket World Cup would see all the ten teams lock horns against one another during the league stage followed by semi-finals and the final. While it is early days to judge the form of the sides as per most 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Predictions including ours the most likely teams to earn a spot in the semi-finals are –
1. Australia
2. England
3. India
4. New Zealand

Some can argue on South Africa missing from that list but the team hasn’t enjoyed great success in ODIs playing outside home in the last two years against the top sides and their habit of succumbing to pressure just holds out against them.

Players to Watch Out For in 2019 World Cup 

ICC Cricket World Cup predictions would be incomplete without talking about players who could make the tournament their own. We have seen Sanathjayasuriya in 1996, Lance Klusener in 1999, Yuvraj Singh in 2011, Glenn Mcgrath in 2007 and many other players who have carried the hopes of their sides on their shoulders. So here is the list of two five batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders to watch out for during the mega event.

Top Batsmen

1. Virat Kohli (India)
2. Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
3. David Warner (Australia)
4. Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
5. Joe Root (England)

Top Bowlers

1. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
2. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
3. JaspritBumrah (India)
4. Pat Cummins (Australia)
5. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Top All-Rounders

1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
2. Hardik Pandya (India)
3. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
4. Andile Phehlukwayo (South Africa)
5. Moeen Ali (England)

How The Teams Are Shaping Up?

# Australia
Their 5-0 triumph in the ODI Series over the Pakistanis in Dubai suggests that the Aussies are in right track to defend their title. This after the side has struggled in this format for the last two years. The return of David Warner and Steven Smith to the side after serving their bans adds strength to the side.

# Afghanistan
In their second appearance on the big stage the side is likely to cause few upsets with their strong spin attack. The side has taken giant strides in the last two years and on its day it has the ability be beat any side in the world. Rashid Khan’s performance would decide the team’s success in the tournament.

# Bangladesh 
This will be the first time that Bangladesh would go into the tournament sans the minnows tag. The team has shaped up well in the last four years and they have beaten better sides in the process. They have a good combination of all-rounders who would be handy in English conditions.

# England 
They have never won the World Cup but since the last edition of the event have been the best ODI side in the world. With a strong batting line-up that bats deep the side starts as one of the tournament favourites. Playing at home they like to leverage their familiarity with the conditions.

# India 
Led by the best batsman of the generation Virat Kohli they are among the top contenders for the title. The side has done well in ODIs over the last four years and their win-loss ratio is only next to England. With a mix of quality players they would be eyeing to do well in the tournament.

# New Zealand
They have been an underdog over the years but made it to the finals of the last event. The team has great strength in its batting with players like Martin Guptil, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. They have done well in the last year or so would look to better their performance from last edition.

Pakistan
The side is blessed with talent and always has been but their inconsistency has always hurt them. Their recent loss to Australia has come as a huge setback for the side. The side is packed with utility cricketers and would be looking to do well in this edition having on the Champions Trophy in 2017 which was held in England.

# South Africa 
The side has lived with the ‘chokers’ tag for too long and it was World Cup’s last edition in England in 1999 where they walked out of the tournament in the saddest way. They have always been among the most consistent sides in the lead up to the tournament and have been done in by their inability to overcome pressure which they will look to do in this tournament.

# Sri Lanka 
They have been in complete disarray in the ODI format in the last two years and haven’t been able to compete let alone win games. This is the weakest Sri Lankan side to take part in the event since 1992. The team which is yet to get its composition in order will have to play out of their skins to overcome their recent form.

# West Indies
Once the powerhouse of ODI cricketWest Indies earned a wildcard entry into this edition of the tournament. Chris Gayle’s return has changed the face of the side. With a team packed with big hitters and a good bowling attack they can surprise many opponents during the event this year.