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.
Mark Waugh predicts the semi-finalists
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum predicted the fate of every participating team in the group stage and amongst those he pointed out that India will make the last four of the tournament and hosts England will only defeat them in the league stage of the world cup. Disagreeing with the same, former Australia batsman Mark Waugh has said that India won’t make the semi-final stage of the ongoing world cup owing to their uncertain middle order and too much dependency on world number one batsman in ODIs- Virat Kohli and world number one bowler in ODIs- Jasprit Bumrah.
Waugh further said that hosts England and Australia are certain to make it to the last four and India might sneak in. He further asserted that New Zealand are slightly ahead of West Indies and will reach the semi-finals alongside South Africa.
Here’s the post
Good summary. IMO I think England and Aust certain semi finalists. India not so sure but probably sneak in.Preparation a little suspect and batting lineup uncertain in the middle order. Big reliance on Kohli and Bumrah. NZ slightly ahead of WI and Sth Africa for 4th.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) May 31, 2019
