Cricket World Cup: Every team’s finest strength and obvious problem
In much less than 3 months, one-day cricket’s 10 high-quality groups will convene in England and duke it out for the sport’s greatest trophy — the World Cup.
And while the hosts head into it as marginal favorites over a remarkably consistent Indian outfit, right now, it’s far nevertheless every person’s prize to win. No group is perfect, and no group lacks the guns to say where the trophy ends up.
With time quickly running out for every aspect to nail down a game plan, foxsports.Com.Au analyses each united states’ most significant energy and maximum evident problem.
THE STRENGTH: Explosive batsmen in a deep order
Having won 10 of its beyond 12 bilateral collections, England is the sector’s satisfactory one-day worldwide group and has the ICC ranking to prove it. There is no doubt the hosts can be the group to conquer at the World Cup.
Embarrassed on the 2015 World Cup, a conservative approach noticed it bundled out in the institution degree. England is now the most attacking group inside the world with the bat. No side has surpassed three hundred greater times in ODI cricket since the World Cup than England – Eoin Morgan’s men have controlled it 34 instances, 14 greater than second pleasant India – and South Africa is the best team to have published a four hundred+ total. England has done that in four instances.
Alongside having batsmen talented with the ability to go hell for leather-based from ball one – Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, and Morgan all common extra than forty with strike fees above 100 over the past twelve months – they also have a batting order deep enough to give those gamers license to attack. No.11 Mark Wood is the only out-and-out bowler frequently gambling for England, with the relaxation of the assault greater than success with the bat.
Adopting an all-out attacking method with the bat has made England the crew to overcome. A loss of flexibility may be what charges them, with sufficient collapses in recent times to make it a situation.
A recreation after hammering 6-418 in opposition to the West Indies, they were bundled out for 113, failing to change their approach on a more difficult pitch. They were on the brink of being bowled out at nine-132 in opposition to a suffering Sri Lanka in October.
Weighing a bowler’s deserves as a batsman has also fed the group from time to time, too, with Scotland pulling off one of the superb upsets ultimate yr by piling on 371 runs in a six-run thriller.
England has to answer whether or not it may adapt its sport to suit the situations, particularly because the pitches and fields get drier. Opposite swing and spin come to be larger elements.
It’s a problem England assume tank are privy to too.
“It is quite difficult to scale down what has been your natural reaction for a final couple of weeks. The realistic solution is we need to get higher at it,” Morgan informed Sky Sports after England was skittled with the aid of the Windies.
“When we arise in opposition to exceptional conditions, it in no way is that smooth for any side; however you want to adapt on the day and discover a manner of scoring runs, occupying the crease and dealing with your innings better than we did.
“You have to rock up on any given day and be in an amazing sufficient head area to adapt to conditions.”
THE STRENGTH: All-famous person attack
This Indian group functions three of the all-time brilliant 50-over batsmen – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni – and one below-preferred due to the caliber of players around him in Shikhar Dhawan. But if the Indians cross all the manner in England, it will be because their attack is within the conversation for satisfactory in the game.
Kohli has 3 of the top five ODI bowlers inside the globe at his disposal, in line with the ICC’s ratings. The megastar of the show, and No.1 bowler on the scores, is of direction Jasprit Bumrah (eighty-two wickets at 21.07); however, the ace up Kohli’s sleeve is the duel act of Kuldeep Yadav (eighty-two wickets at 20.60) and Yuzvendra Chahal (seventy-one wickets at 23. Eighty-three), who sit down fourth and 5th on the ratings. The spin twins have given India an unrivaled cut within the middle overs.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami competing to partner Bumrah with the new ball and seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya possibly to hold the 5th bowler’s load, India’s attack will cause masses of hassle.
THE CONCERN: Over-reliance on the top three
The big 3 of Sharma, Dhawan, and Kohli has been the platform on which India has constructed its close to consistent success in ODI cricket since the final World Cup. It’s an over-dependence on this top 3 that might additionally price the Indians in England, just as it did in the Champions Trophy, where Kohli’s aspect became bundled out for 158 after the top three contributed a grand sum of 26 runs.
Given Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni – all likelihood applicants to bat No.4 and 5 – average forty-eight. 34 and 50. Eighty-four respectively, this critique may additionally appear harsh. However, neither Rayudu nor Dhoni are particularly short run-scorers anymore, with the onus on one of Sharma, Dhawan, or Kohli to cash in with short runs in the 2d 1/2 of the innings after laying a basis in the first.
Having made the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, the Indians will be assured they’ve it in them to address English conditions. Nevertheless, if the ball moves off directly, the onus on the pinnacle 3 to set up the innings will only increase.
THE STRENGTH: Under the radar batting superstars
Underrated and underappreciated – two terms that might be used to describe New Zealand’s guys’ cricket group. The Black Caps sits 2d on the Test scores and third at the ODI ladder.
Those same phrases may also be used to describe Ross Taylor, who must be embedded firmly within the debate for first-class ODI batsman in the international proper now. The former captain has prepared pretty the ODI profession (8026 runs at forty-eight. 34) and is seemingly getting higher with age.
Since having surgical treatment on a growth on his left eye in overdue 2016, Taylor has gone from strength to energy with the bat and, during the last 12 months, has averaged 104.Forty-four in ODI cricket with a striking charge of ninety-three.Sixty-two.
Add in Kane Williamson (5554 runs at forty-five .90, eleven centuries) and Martin Guptill (6440 runs at 43.Fifty one, 16 centuries), and you’re looking at one of the most potent top fours in the sport.
In phrases of averages, inside the past 12 months, New Zealand has the 0.33 worst establishing aggregate inside the world in ODI cricket. The countries underneath them are Zimbabwe (17.82) and the Netherlands (2.50), the latter has the most effective performed two times.
Across the 16 fits New Zealand has performed in that time, on average, the first wicket has garnered the united states of America 21.43 runs – world leaders England, by way of contrast, have a gap stand really worth sixty-three. Seventy-five on common.
The Black Caps can take some encouragement from the fact Guptill seemed to be returned to his first-rate towards Bangladesh (264 runs at 132.00). They’ll be hoping that became an illustration of his form instead of reflective of an assault that has generally struggled outdoor of Asia.
Given that endurance has seemingly run out with Colin Munro, who has averaged 18. Fifty-three during the last three hundred and sixty-five days, plenty will depend on how Henry Nicholls takes to live on the top of the order
THE STRENGTH: Mouth-watering assault
With 4 series wins in a row, the South Africans are building well to the World Cup. That success has been made on the back of their bowlers, who have best conceded more than 250 runs on four events across their past 17 suits, and most effective once allowed a group past 300.
With Dale Steyn again inside the photo and Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, leg-spinner Imran Tahir, and the increasingly more fantastic Andile Phehlukwayo, South Africa has an attack this is as frugal as it’s miles dangerous.
Collectively South Africa’s bowlers have averaged 27.59 (2d among World Cup teams) and struck each 32.2 balls (first) throughout the beyond 12 months.
THE CONCERN: One massive gone, some other missing
With AB de Villiers retired, South Africa’s batting order – the center order specifically – does no longer look nearly as threatening as it once did. Worryingly for the Proteas, they’ll have misplaced Hashim Amla to form alongside losing de Villiers to retirement.
With a median of forty-nine. Seventy-four, Amla was as soon as one of the first names on the team sheet; however, he has disregarded the squad for the ODI series towards Sri Lanka after a lean three hundred and sixty-five days.
Time is walking out for Amla to make a case for a recall. Still, the Proteas will actually be wary of going into the World Cup without their two maximum experience and proven ODI batsman of the beyond a decade.
The desirable information for South Africa is that captain Faf du Plessis seems primed for a bumper match. The skipper scored an unbeaten 112 in his maximum current innings and has averaged seventy-two—62 in ODIs throughout the beyond 365 days. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock additionally appears to have discovered his high-quality again, notching returned-to-lower back eighty+ scores in his most recent two innings after a lean 2018.
THE STRENGTH: A international magnificence pinnacle 3
They may additionally handiest sit fifth at the ICC ratings, but there is plenty to love about a Pakistan team that has unearthed some gemstones inside the past years.
Stability may not be a phrase synonymous with Pakistani cricket, but they have got just that thanks to a global class top three.
The fire and ice mixture of Fakhar Zaman (1442 ODI profession runs at fifty-three .40) and Imam-ul-Haq (1090 at 60.55) has averaged 61.06 as an opening pair over the past 12 months. Only England’s Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy (64. Sixty-four) have fared higher among opening combos that have played more than 5 ODIs considering ultimate March.
With Babar Azam – 5th at the ODI ratings and averaging 51.29 – coming in at No.3, Pakistan’s pinnacle three does not leave much to be desired.
Rookie quicks Usman Shinwari and Shaheen Afridi can have prominent roles to play alongside the greater mounted Hasan Ali. With 20-yr-vintage leg-spinner Shadab Khan there, too, Pakistan has maximum areas covered with the ball.
THE CONCERN – Big names misfiring
There is a lot to get enthusiastic about with the following technology of Pakistani cricketers coming through. The likes of Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Shinwari, and Shadab Khan – elderly among 20 and 25 – have all shown that they could have a severe impact.
However, if Pakistan goes to make a splash at the World Cup, the senior professionals will want to step up. That’s a situation given Mohammad Hafeez is nursing a thumb injury, and veterans Shoaib Malik (404 runs at 33.Sixty six) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (213 runs at 26.Sixty two) have both looked off shade over the past 365 days.
Mohammed Amir is also suffering. The brief has taken three wickets at 86.33 over the last three hundred and sixty-five days in ODI cricket. While Pakistan has now not neglected him too much, thanks to Afridi (19 wickets at 19.36) and Shinwari (17 at 19. Forty-one), Amir is a significant participant. The left-arm shortchanged into the coronary heart of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win, taking three-16 inside the final.
“If a senior bowler like him seems out of shape, off-color, it’s a fear for us. However, we still have time for Amir. We nonetheless have ten one-dayers and two-3 months,” chief selector and previous batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq stated. “Amir could make a comeback. We will supply him with the full threat to make a comeback. He is a huge-occasion bowler, and we want to have a bowler like him in our armory.”
THE STRENGTH: THE Smith and Warner issue
It’s tough to gauge just how strong Australia’s World Cup hopes are. On a form, the defending champions have to stand little threat. It has been more than years seeing that they ultimately gained an ODI series, and their win-loss ratio in that length (4 wins, 19 losses) is the worst within the globe.
However, with 5 World Cups in the trophy cabinet and an attack offering Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, they apparently can’t be ruled out.
The biggest issue for the Australians may simply be the returns of David Warner and Steve Smith, but. With greater than 7000 runs and 22 ODI centuries among the two of them, Warner (4343 runs at forty-three. 43) and Smith (3431 at 41.84) is Australia’s maximum proven batsmen and are excellent enough to take Australia’s batting order from faltering to elite.
THE CONCERN: The hollow Smith and Warner want to fill
There are many concerns for Australia, and its miles will take greater than the go back of Smith and Warner to treat the one’s problems. This changed into a 50-over crew in hassle before their suspensions despite everything, with the pair concerned in 10 instantly ODI losses before their 12-month bans.
Nevertheless, how fast the two find their feet on the international degree goes to have a massive say on Australia’s World Cup hopes. Given the struggles of Aaron Finch, right now, what this Australian group is missing greater than something is batsmen who realize how to show a start into a match-defining overall performance.
You needn’t look similar to the respective XIs in the India-Australia series’s first ODI. Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan had one greater century (15) than the whole Australian XI combined. Rohit Sharma (22) and Virat Kohli (39) everyone has greater than the entire Australian squad blended (19).
With 14 and eight ODI centuries, respectively, Warner and Smith want to fill that hollow.
BANGLADESH
THE STRENGTH: Big stage enjoy
Bangladesh amazed the world to make it beyond the organization degree of the World Cup closing time. Within the years, they have become demonstrated performers on the massive stage.
In 2017, the Tigers made it into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, getting thru a group that featured England, New Zealand, and Australia. In 2018, they made the Asia Cup last and lost a remaining-ball thriller in opposition to India.
Each of these tournaments saw a senior bat step up, with Tamim Iqbal scoring 293 at 73.25 in the Champions trophy and Mushfiqur Rahim 302 at 60.50 within the Asia Cup.
Up until the ODI collection in opposition to New Zealand, both those men have been in a warm form. In the beyond 12 months, Mushfiqur has averaged 51.84 and Tamim 63.14. Alongside Shakib Al Hasan, they may bring the majority of the duty with the bat for Bangladesh. If Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar can step up too, then this Bangladeshi outfit will be a handful.
THE CONCERN: What occurs if they want to chase massive runs?
While the form of Bangladesh’s batsmen is extraordinary, collectively, they may be going to have to step it up in England. With flat pitches and small grounds the norm, rankings around three hundred are expected to be par.
That’s a challenge for a Bangladeshi batting order that has best surpassed 300 as soon as within the beyond twelve months and 6 times for the reason of that 2015 World Cup. Afghanistan is the only World Cup crew to have reached 300 on fewer occasions (2) for the ultimate tournament.
The counterpoint to this is that Bangladesh has the most effective concede 300 runs in an ODI 8 times because of closing World Cup and handiest once within the beyond twelve months.
THE STRENGTH: Rapid scorers
With all-rounder Thisara Perera (512 runs at 39.38, strike rate of 121.04) leading the rate, Sri Lanka’s batsmen have scored at five. Seventy-eight runs 12 months across the beyond 12 months. Only England (6. Forty-one) has scored faster.
Alongside Thisara Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera shape as the key me in Sri Lanka’s batting order. Both have scored greater than four hundred runs in the past 12 months, with strike charges just underneath 100.
THE CONCERN: Rapid conceders
While the Sri Lankans rating runs at a fast fee, they concede them even quicker. The Lasith Malinga-led side has leaked a world-worst 6.21 an over across the past year. No wonder they have misplaced 12 in their past sixteen ODIs.
Worryingly for Sri Lanka, their two quality bowlers over the last 12 months have each had stints on the sidelines.
Akila Dananjaya, a proper-arm spinner of each variety, has been each their best threat (26 wickets at 19.76) and most frugal bowler (6. Forty-five) within the beyond 365 days. He has the handiest simply again to playing responsibilities after a stint on the sidelines because of suspect action.
Malinga, the group’s second maximum wicket-taker in the past yr (17 at 28.05), is in no way a guarantee to play given his age and damage records.
THE STRENGTH AND THE CONCERN: A team of x-elements
The West Indies’ best energy and largest problem are one and equal. Theirs is a dynamite crew – whether or not they implode or explode is the question.
With Chris Gayle back on the pinnacle of the order and electricity hitters like Shimron Hetmyer and Carlos Brathwaite within the aspect, the West Indies can post scores few different groups within the global can.
Just ask England’s bowlers, who have been on the receiving quit of a few, in reality, disdainful batting during a recent ODI collection in the Caribbean that completed 2-2. Gayle turned into at the center of that collection, with the bruising left-hander in ominous touch beforehand of the World Cup. He hammered 424 runs for the campaign at a median of 106.00 with a strike fee of 134.17. There had been 39 sixes along the way.
At the same time, the West Indies are probably to fall apart as any team, having been held below 200 on six activities inside the past twelve months.
THE STRENGTH: Spin to win
In Rashid Khan, Afghanistan has the first-rate white-ball spin bowler inside the international. Second, at the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings, Rashid has taken 33 wickets at just 17.36 runs apiece within the past year. He’s the handiest leaked 3. Eighty-five runs and over in that time.
The scary aspect approximately Afghanistan is that Rashid is not any one-guy band. Brisbane Heat fanatics were given a study by Mujeeb ur Rahman over the summertime in the BBL (12 wickets at 23.41, econ. 6.04), and the 18-year-antique has been a revelation seeing that making his ODI debut (47 wickets at 18.14, econ three.74). Throw inside the finger spin of all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Afghanistan’s attack isn’t always short of high-quality.
Though the tempo stocks aren’t awesome, Afghanistan boasts the most monetary attack of any team on the World Cup, leaking simply four.21 runs in step with over inside the beyond 12 months and 4.51 because the final World Cup.
THE CONCERN: Slow scorers
Having registered wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and a tie with India at the ultimate 12 months Asia Cup, Afghanistan doesn’t need to have any issues over whether or not they’re correct enough to combine it with the huge boys.
However, they’ll need to improve their run-rate if they need to be extra than additionally-rans. Asghar Afghan’s crew has scored at simply 4.64 runs per over throughout the past year. That makes them, without difficulty, the slowest scorers of any team in the World Cup, with Pakistan (4.64) the subsequent worst.
