The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup gets underway on Thursday 30th May with 10 teams battling it out in England to be crowned the world’s best. The tournament runs for 6 weeks – culminating with the World Cup final taking place at Lords on July 14th and it promises to be a fascinating spectacle.
This year’s tournament will be played out under a new format with each of the 10 teams playing each other once in a league system. The top 4 sides in the league will then progress on to two semi-finals and a subsequent final.
Team by Team Preview:
Hosts England have never won a 50-over World Cup but are the red-hot favourites this year. They are the number 1 ranked side in the One Day format of the game and are deadly in home conditions. With power hitting at the top of the order and a potent bowling attack they look well placed at 2.00 with BetXChange.
India will arrive in England full of confidence following a superb recent run of form under the stewardship of their inspirational captain Virat Kohli. Despite not being too comfortable with the swinging ball in England, they will more than fancy their chances of going the distance at 3.00.
Defending champions Australia have endured a difficult 12 months, with Steve Smith and David Warner making the headlines for all the wrong reasons but they tend to raise their game when it matters. With Smith and Warner back in the side and with a point to prove, the Aussies could be dangerous at 3.30.
South Africa appear to be somewhat of an unknown quantity this year as the Proteas go through somewhat of a transitional phase. With the likes of AB de Villiers no longer in the setup, runs could be potential issue but they are in good form having won nine of their last 11 ODI series and represent value at 7.50.
Perennial outsiders New Zealand possess one of the most dangerous line-ups in world cricket but don’t always produce the goods on the big stage. The Kiwis have two of the top batsmen in the world in their ranks in Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor and with a seriously pacey bowling attack, they could be a side to watch at 9.00.
Few sides have the ability to produce results in the way the West Indies do and the entertainers from the Caribbean will be looking to cause an upset here in England. They are the reigning World T20 Champions and with Chris Gayle sure to want to go out with a bang, bet against them at your peril at 18.00.
Defending ICC Champions Trophy winners Pakistan are another side that are often overlooked on the big stage but have a habit of producing results. They look to have unearthed a real gem in middle-order batsman Babar Azam and they pushed England hard in the ODI series last month. Pakistan are 20.00 with BetXChange.
1996 winners Sri Lanka shocked the world 23 years ago to lift the trophy although a repeat doesn’t look on the cards this time around. Disputes between players and the cricket board have plagued the national team for months and with an aging side, they look to have their work cut out at 80.00.
Bangladesh are one of the most consistent performers across all levels of ICC cricket competition and have firmly established themselves within the world’s elite. Led by the talented Shakib al Hasan, they will fancy their chances against anyone on their day and shouldn’t be ruled out to go all the way at 80.00.
Simply through qualifying for the World Cup, Afghanistan have established themselves as the number one associate nation in the ICC rankings. They look to be a little short in terms of top level experience but in Rashid Khan have one of the genuine stars of the world game and it would be one of the greatest stories in sport were they to lift the trophy at 100.00.
Top Betting Tips:
Outright Winner: England – 2.00
Make the Semi Final: New Zealand – 1.20
Name the Finalists: England & India – 3.30
