We’re kicking off our Cricket World Cup 2019 predictions by looking at each of the 10 teams competing, placed in order of our power rankings.
The country that lifts the trophy at Lord’s on July 14 will receive a minimum of £3.1million in prize money, out of a total pot of £7.8m up for grabs, so the stakes are higher than ever.
We’ll have Cricket World Cup 2019 betting tips throughout the tournament, but here is our early verdict on which sides will be battling it out for outright glory.
1 INDIA @ 11/4
The 1983 and 2011 champions have a squad packed full of proven performers and boast star names in all departments, with a traditionally strong batting line-up backed up by a varied bowling attack.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are first and second in the ODI batsmen rankings, while former captain MS Dhoni is still one of the most feared closers in the game.
Jasprit Bumrah tops the list of ODI bowlers on recent form, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are seventh and eighth in this category, with India blessed with superb spin and seam options.
2 ENGLAND @ 21/4
The Three Lions have never lifted this trophy, being beaten in three past finals, but are strongly fancied to roar on home turf in the Cricket World Cup 2019 odds.
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow give the batting order a solid feel, while the likes of Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes are capable of game-changing knocks.
A steady selection of seamers should be suited by the prevailing conditions, although spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali must prove they can handle the pressure at elite level.
3 AUSTRALIA @ 4/1
After a turbulent couple of years, defending champions Australia may have just timed their resurgence to perfection, especially with Steve Smith and David Warner now returning from ball-tampering bans.
Current captain Aaron Finch is a fearsome competitor and winning for the sixth time in nine renewals would be no surprise now that they have a steely spine back in place.
4 SOUTH AFRICA @ 9/1
Experienced pace bowlers Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, plus veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir, give the Proteas a fine foundation on which to build from.
Skipper Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock are both ranked in the world’s top five ODI batsmen, while the recalled Hashim Amla is closing in on 8,000 runs in this format.
5 NEW ZEALAND @ 11/1
The Kiwis were beaten finalists in Australia four years ago and will again bring a plucky ‘can-do’ attitude into this tournament, where conditions should be conducive.
Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and captain Kane Williamson are all dangerous with the bat, while swing bowler Trent Boult has established himself as one of the most feared competitors in that category.
6 PAKISTAN @ 14/1
Outright victory in 1992 and a run to the 1999 final are Pakistan’s best past achievements and they showed enough glimpses of potential in a warm-up series against England to enhance hopes of another bold showing.
Consistency is an issue, but Babar Azam can be a joy to watch with the bat and spirits lift in the bowling department whenever things start to go their way.
7 WEST INDIES @ 16/1
It feels like an eternity since the Windies won the first two renewals of this tournament at Lord’s and then went down to India in the 1983 decider.
Dashing opener Chris Gayle could still roll back the years in his swansong before retiring from this format and Shai Hope has a ton of class, but there are still a lot of question marks surrounding this squad.
8 SRI LANKA @ 66/1
A proud record features lifting the trophy in 1996, when reinventing the game with pinch-hitters, and reaching the final in 2007 and 2011, but this seems an organisation in disarray at present.
9 BANGLADESH @ 100/1
Talented all-round Shakib Al Hasan is always capable of making a big impression, but things have not gone great since they reached the quarter-finals four years ago.
10 AFGHANISTAN @ 100/1
Chief selector Dawlat Ahmadzai has urged his side to play without fear and show a fighting spirit and Afghanistan do have a strong set of spinners, but the professionalism of a World Cup may prove a reality check.
