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 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.
Kevin Pietersen pick the favourites
The South Africa born England bound cricketer opined that a new look England and India are the firm favourites to win the world cup, adding that dark horses Australia and unpredictable West Indies also have a bright chance.
“India and England are probably the favourites. But the dark horses are Australia and the unpredictables are West Indies.” Pietersen said.
The veteran of 104 tests heaped praises on England skipper Eoin Morgan, saying that the Irish born cricketers has transformed the English team.
“Eoin Morgan has transformed them. I’m not surprised because I was sat on a train with him years ago, talking about the way we need to play positive cricket. It’s just beautiful to see the way English players are playing now. It’s something that makes me so happy, to see them fully committed to their strokes, the way they don’t fear failure, and how they are allowed to fail, the way they are backed,” Pietersen said.
England were knocked out of the group stage of 2011 and 2015 world cup, losing to the minnows in the group stage clash. After the 2015 world cup, Eoin Morgan took the charge of the team and transformed it to “New England”. They played fearless brand of cricket and brought the limited overs specialist in the squad. Building the team from scratch was decisive factor for England and their numero uno position in ODI rankings, say it all.
