Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By Well Pitched
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Who Will Triumph in Cricket’s World Cup This Summer?

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 22:52

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

Questions about the relevance – or otherwise – of the 50-over game refuse to go away, with the T20 format so popular globally and the ECB’s new 100-ball concept that will shorten the game yet further.

That said, there’s nothing quite like the World Cup to get the juices flowing, and so the ODI tournament that will play out on English and Welsh soil between May 30 and July 14 is highly anticipated.

There has been a format change to simplify the competition and keep supporters on the edge of their seats. Rather than the old Super Six grouping, now all ten teams will play each other in a round robin to decide the four best sides that go on to contest the semi-finals.

N̶e̶l̶s̶o̶n̶’̶s̶ ̶C̶o̶l̶u̶m̶n̶
Nelson’s Wickets

To mark ðŸ’¯days to go until #CWC19, cricket has taken over Trafalgar Square! pic.twitter.com/XsnbiIysvr

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 19, 2019

It will accelerate the tournament and (hopefully) minimise the number of dead rubber matches and, while the newset-up has been criticised for minimising the number of associate nations that get the chance to compete on this global stage, at least the improving Afghanistan will have another opportunity to shine.

Given their home advantage, England will start as favourite – that has been confirmed by the latest Cricket World Cup betting odds from Oddschecker, in which the Lions are priced at 23/10 to win their first ever 50-over world title.

But they can expect fierce competition from the likes of India, South Africa, Pakistan and possibly even defending champions Australia.

Root Ready to Blossom

According to the ICC’s ODIrankings, England are the finest purveyors of 50-over cricket on the planet.

India might have something to say about that, but in typically British conditions – green wickets and the ball hopping around, you would be hard-pressed to argue with the assertion of the bookies that England are a worthy favourite.

Unlike the test team, which has experienced something of a tonking in the Caribbean this winter, Eoin Morgan’s red-shirted army is a settled team of outstanding performers in limited overs cricket.

The exciting Jason Roy tends to get things off to an explosive start, while Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Morgan himself remain more than capable of magnificence.

Arguably, Joe Root – free from the shackles of the test captaincy – is the jewel in the crown. The Yorkshireman is ranked fourth by the ICC, and his back-to-backcenturies in the series against India last summer proved to be pivotal.

You could argue that the bowling attack is functional, rather than mind-blowin, but, even so, in Adil Rashid the Lions have a proven match winner.

Cheered-on by a passionate home support, it’s hard to see England not reaching the knockout phase at the very least.

British Conditions Not to Everyone’s Liking

There’s no doubt about it: India boast some of the best ODI players in the game.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are ranked first and second in the ICC batting standings, while Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are all ranked in the bowling top-five too.

But do any of these players really thrive in English conditions? Kohli could bat well on the deck of a submarine, but that’s because he’s truly world class. As for the others, Chahal’s devilish spin is smothered by lifeless pitches and Yadav and Bumrah struggle to extract the bounce that makes them so effective elsewhere.

Will Babar Azam be able to play the moving ball? Will Mustafizur Rahman be as effective in Britain as he is on the sub-continent?

Cricket is becoming almost two different sports: one played in swinging conditions like England, New Zealand and South Africa, and one where spin bowling dominated in Asia.

Naturally, in English conditions, it is the hosts who have a supreme advantage.

Source: http://www.wellpitched.com/2019/02/who-will-triumph-in-crickets-world-cup.html

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!

Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Comments

Online:
Visits:	1,603,749,650
Stories:	8,151,179