Former Australia’s legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath has picked the two favourites teams for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. McGrath believes the top two teams – hosts England and India are favourites for the ODI showpiece. Meanwhile, the former gun pacer also feels that Australia has made a good comeback after beating India in India.
In fact, England also had a tough time while playing against the Windies. The Carribean nation had come up with a collective effort and the five-match series ended in 2-2. However, England and India have played relentless cricket in the recent past and they are going to be the sides to watch out for in the quadrennial event.
England and India are red-hot favourites.
“The top two teams are going to be England and India. England had a tough time in West Indies and India lost to Australia. So, the competition will be tighter. Australia’s chances have improved after their ODI and T20 win over India,” McGrath, who is director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation here, told reporters.
Meanwhile, the former pacer believes the recent triumph for Australia will add a shot in the arm. Australia had come up with a fine performance in the series against India. The visitors had ticked the right boxes and it must have done them a world of good.
Australia will be confident.
“The fact that Australia won the T20 series and the ODIs against India in India will boost their confidence. With those two (Steve Smith and David Warner) coming back, the team will be strengthened and those players were missed during the Australian summer,” he added.
On the other hand, the Indian bowlers have shown an upward swing in their improvement graph. They have been exceptional in the last two years and have played a key role in the success of the side. Consequently, Glenn McGrath was all praise for the Indian fast bowling battery.
“I was not surprised … they did exceptionally well. They bowled well as a unit and there was no weak link there. I think the pace they bowled at, the consistency and control, they really impressed me,” said the 49-year-old who took 563 Test wickets in 124 matches between 1993 and 2007.
“Ishant (Sharma) is very experienced, Bhuvneshwar is your senior bowler and he needs to be bowling well. He is an intelligent cricketer and the (Mohammed) Shami is doing well.
“I was particularly impressed with Bumrah, he was exceptional. The way he bowls his yorkers and if there is some reverse swing, he is going to be dangerous. And the pace he bowls the yorkers makes him really unique. So, the bowlers have to perform if India is to win (the World Cup),” McGrath added.
Meanwhile, England and South Africa will kickstart the World Cup on 30th May at Kennington Oval. India will also begin their World Cup campaign against the Proteas on June 5 at Southampton.