The Cricket World Cup fever will start soon in worldwide. Recently, the former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs opened up on his favourite teams for the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
England and Wales will organise the 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup. The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will run from 30 May to 14 July. A total of ten teams will participate in this competition. These teams are England, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Windies. While England will play as the host side, the five-time World Cup-winning side Australia will start as the defending champions.
Every team is in the final preparation mood for the upcoming World Cup. Meanwhile, the cricket experts are busy to reveal their World Cup predictions. Now, Herschelle Gibbs has also opened up on his favourite teams for the forthcoming World Cup.
Herschelle Gibbs believes the upcoming World Cup is wide open like every time. Talking about the favourite contenders, Herschelle Gibbs chooses England and India. He feels the bowling attacks will play essential roles in the World Cup.
He said, “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).”
Both England and India is currently in great forms. While England is the no.1 ODI ranked side, India is the no.2 ODI ranked side. Like the many experts, Herschelle Gibbs also has the same view about the favourites of the upcoming World Cup.
Herschelle Gibbs’ opinion on South Africa
The four-time semi-finalist South Africa hasn’t won any Cricket World Cup yet. Though South Africa will miss AB de Villiers, who retired from the international cricket in last year, Herschelle Gibbs feels it is not a big issue for his national side. Rather than, he has pointed out that South Africa is facing the lack of all-rounder issue.
He said, “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.”
South Africa will play the opening game of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. The tournament will begin on 30 May with the match between the hosts England and South Africa at The Oval (London).