The build to the upcoming cricket world cup has allready started with all the 10 participating teams making sure that they get the right combination before the start of the marquee event. The world cup will get underway from May 30 and will continue till July 14.
England are the firm favourites to lift the trophy, however some experts claim India to be a force to reckon with alongside Pakistan, who will be high in confidence after triumph in 2017 champions trophy in English conditions.
England disappointed in the 2011 and 2015 edition of the world cup where they were eliminated from the group stage owing to defeats against the minnows. The selectors and team management entrusted the young guns to the job after the 2015 world cup and results started reflecting thereafter. The Three Lions are now the top ranked ODI team followed by India at number two.
The men in blue have played consistent cricket from the 2015 world cup and this can be understood by the fact that they have won the most games in ODI cricket since 2015.
Herschelle Gibbs picks the favourite to lift the world cup
The former Proteas batsman backed hosts England to win the show piece event and also felt that Team India is also an upbeat team to lift the trophy. England and India are currently ranked number one and number two in ICC Odi rankings.
“It is always wide open. The two standout contenders will be England and India. But, who is going to make the other two places for the semi-finals? It is difficult to say. A lot depends on the weather in England. The bowling attacks will all play a part (in the tournament),” The Pioneer quoted Gibbs as saying.
Gibbs further went onto say that his own country won’t be a probable contender owing to the shortage of a quality all-rounder in the side.
“We (South Africa) are always up there irrespective of ABD. We have got Faf (Du Plessis) and Quinton de Kock. The only issue for South Africa is not having an all-rounder,” Gibbs said.
