The count down to the upcoming world cup has allready started with all the participating teams announcing their 15-man squad for the marquee tournament. Cricket experts and pundits allready started the build to the tournament by predicting the winner of the tournament and the majority think that India are England are the firm favourites to lift the cup.
Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Mark Waugh has donned the prediction hat and opined that hosts England are the firm favourites to win the title. England recently thrashed Pakistan 4-0 and gave a strong statement ahead of the world cup.
“England to me are probably the favourites – their form has been outstanding over the last couple of years. They are playing at home. Sometimes, that creates more pressure, but they’ve got a really good coach in Trevor Bayliss to keep the players grounded. So I think England would be favourites, and probably Australia and India on that second line of favouritism,” he was quoted as saying by ICC’s official website.
Favouring Australia
Being an Australian, Waugh favoured his home side and said that all the teams will be careful of Steve Smith led side. Australia was ranked 6th in the ODI rankings at the start of the year but a 3-2 ODI series win against India in India and clean sweeping Pakistan 5-0 in United Arab Emirates made them a contender for the marquee event. The return of David Warner and Steve Smith from the 12 month ban after the infamous sandpaper gate controversy have strengthened the Australian team.
“Every side will be wary of Australia. They know the potential of the Australian side. There’s been turmoil in Australian cricket over the last 12 months, but that has been put aside now. We’ve got our best players available to be picked in Smith and Warner. Their form was very poor, but all of a sudden, they’ve won their last eight matches. And that is ominous for other sides, they know how good these sides are,” the veteran of 325 ODIs added.
