The cricket world cup started with hosts England thumping South Africa in world cup opener with a massive margin of 104 runs to start their world cup campaign on a high. The world cup got underway on May 30 and will conclude on July 14, with the finals at the iconic Lord’s in London.
England are the firm favourites to lift the trophy, however some experts claim India to be a force to reckon with alongside Australia who are high in confidence after pipping India 3-2 in India and clean sweeping Pakistan 5-0 in United Arab Emirates(UAE). The returning Steve Smith and David Warner will add more strength to the team.
Michael Vaughan predicts the semi-finalists
The former England skipper agreed that Jos Buttler will be the top run getter for England and will finish as the man of the tournament. Vaughan opined that Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson will emerge as the highest run getter of the tournament but his side won’t lift the world cup despite finishing as the finalists in last edition of the show piece event in 2015.
Vaughan further said that Australia’s Patt Cummins will end up as the highest wicket taker of the tournament.
Speaking about the four contenders for the semi-finals spot, the 44-year-old said that hosts England will be there with a good chance and will make the last four alongside India and Australia. For the last remaining spot, he interestingly picked 2017 Champions trophy winners Pakistan, who faced a hammering against West Indies in their world cup opener by 7 wickets. Their batters got exposed to short ball and as a result they got bundled out on 105 runs.
The veteran of 82 tests and 86 ODIs further predicted that England will be the firm favourites to lift the trophy although he feared that a resurgent Australia could deny Eoin Morgan’s side, a shot at the cup.
Michael Vaughan’s prediction
Top run scorer: Kane Williamson(New Zealand)
Top wicket taker: Pat Cummins(Australia)
Player of the tournament: Jos Buttler(England)
Semi-finalists: England, Australia, Pakistan, India
Winner: England or Australia
