The biggest prize in cricket is up for grabs this summer as the 2019 ICC World Cup gets underway in England on May 30.
As fans, it’s not just watching the best players battle it out to look forward to. Fantasy cricket means you have the opportunity to get involved as well.
Dream11 is the official partner of the ICC tournament’s fantasy league soon after the platform also hosted the 2019 Indian Premier League edition.
Much like the format during the T20 competition, fantasy managers have to set up their sides per round though the fixture list does toss up a few googlies.
Fortunately, we’ll be with you every step of the way with our tips and picks to guide you through each round.
Here, we help you navigate through the first round which includes a total of five matches.
TOP TIP
Back South Africa, avoid Indian players
South Africa are the only team which feature in two matches in the opening round and it makes sense to fill the team with Proteas stars. They take on hosts England in the tournament opener before playing Afghanistan in their second game of the campaign. Therefore, sure-shot performers like Kagiso Rabada and skipper Faf du Plessis are excellent picks.
No point picking Indian players as Virat Kohli and his men are the only team who do not feature in the opening round with the remaining nine teams all getting a taste of the action.
BATSMEN
David Warner (10.5 credits)
The Aussie will be itching to dominate international cricket again.
The Australia opener is back in international cricket after his one-year suspension and he comes into the tournament in menacing form. The southpaw took IPL 2019 by storm with 692 runs at a stellar average of nearly 70 for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
He is a man who loves to perform on the big occasion and he will only take the boos from English fans as added motivation. Expect him to light up the tournament as he looks to make a big statement. The fact that he will be facing Afghanistan in his first match also bodes well.
Babar Azam (10 credits)
While Pakistan do not come into the World Cup in the most convincing of forms, Babar Azam has remained immune to the team’s shortcomings. The 24-year-old has been remarkably consistent over the past one year across all formats and seems destined to attain greatness. His form in recent matches has been exceptional with the right-hander scoring 112, 80 and 115 in his last three outings for Pakistan.
Faf du Plessis (10 credits)
With South Africa playing two games, it makes sense to pick their most consistent batsman at the moment. The Proteas skipper has an ODI average of nearly 47 and has been consistently churning out the runs on the international stage.
He had a decent IPL 2019 campaign as well and looked good in the warm-up clash against Sri Lanka where he registered a fine 88.
BOWLERS
Kagiso Rabada (9.5 credits)
The South African pacer is a beast of a performer across all formats and will be coming into the tournament full of confidence. He was nothing short of sensational in the IPL where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker (25) despite playing only 12 matches.
Imran Tahir (9 credits)
Tahir is simply getting better with age.
The veteran South Africa spinner went one better than his compatriot Rabada in the recent IPL and finished as the leading wicket-taker with 26 dismissals. At 40, Tahir continues to go from strength-to-strength and is bowling as well as he ever has.
Is the No4 ranked ODI bowler in the world for a reason.
Pat Cummins (9 credits)
The Australian pacer was in excellent form before being sidelined with a long-term injury. However, he has put in some impressive displays against India and Pakistan earlier this year. He has already claimed 82 wickets in just 48 ODIs and could be Australia’s main pace asset in the World Cup.
ALL-ROUNDERS
Andre Russell (9.5 credits)
Those who watched the IPL closely will already have the West Indies all-rounder in their line up. Russell muscled the ball at a strike-rate of nearly 205 in the tournament while tonking a total of 52 sixes in just 14 games.
It could be the ‘Dre Russ’ show in the World Cup as well if he gets going.
Russell could be the biggest game changer in the World Cup.
Jimmy Neesham (8.5 credits)
For the second all-rounder, New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham is looking a good pick based on his displays since returning from an 18-month stint on the sidelines. The Kiwi has been averaging over 60 with the bat in 2019 while his medium-paced bowling is looking good as well.
WICKETKEEPERS
Quinton de Kock (10 credits)
De Kock had a good IPL campaign with Mumbai.
In keeping with the South Africa overload, Quinton de Kock is a no-brainer for the wicketkeeping slot. The Proteas southpaw was also in excellent form in the IPL for champions Mumbai Indians and has always been a reliable performer for his country on the international stage.
Jos Buttler (9.5 credits)
For those who are looking for an alternative option with the gloves, there is England’s Jos Buttler who is primed to have a magnificent tournament. He is arguably the most destructive batsman on current form in the format.
Captain: Kagiso Rabada
Vice captain: Quinton de Kock
