While the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is just less than four months away to begin, the former South African captain Shaun Pollock came up with his prediction.
England and Wales are going to host the upcoming World Cup from 30 May to 14 July. It will be the 12th edition of the tournament, and a total of ten teams will participate in this competition. The participating teams will be England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Windies.
Talking about the World Cup prediction, Shaun Pollock believes that six teams are capable of winning the trophy. The former South African captain spoke about this when he faced media on this Monday (4 February) during the ICC World Cup Trophy Tour at Johannesburg.
According to Netwerk24, Shaun Pollock quoted, “There are only 10 teams and each team played each other before the semi-finals, but I think there will only be about six teams capable of really competing for the trophy.”
India and England are the favourites
Talking about the favourite sides for the upcoming tournament, Shaun Pollock chose the two-time World Cup-winning team India and the hosts England. Both teams are in good form at present as England is the top ODI ranked side and India is the no.2 ODI ranked team.
The five-time World Cup-winning side Australia is currently struggling in the international cricket. However, Shaun Pollock believes that Steve Smith and David Warner‘s return will make a big difference for the side. Australia will begin the tournament as the defending champions.
On the other hand, Shaun Pollock also added that the 2015 World Cup runners-up New Zealand was playing good cricket.
The former South African all-rounder said, “Australia struggled recently, but I believe the return of Steve Smith and David Warner will make a big difference. New Zealand are currently playing good cricket but I do think India and England are the favourites to win the event.”
South Africa’s chance
South Africa will play the opening game of the tournament against the host England on 30 May. The Proteas has never reached the final of the World Cup, but they have played four unsuccessful semi-finals. Shaun Pollock expects that his nation can reach the semi-finals once again and from there, anything can be possible.
He said, “South Africa will believe they can make the semi-finals and from there anything can happen.”
In the upcoming World Cup, each team will play against every other nine teams once each in the round-robin stage. At the end of that stage, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals will meet at the final on 14 July at Lord’s (London).