With the Cricket World Cup finally here, we at Sport360 took out our crystal balls and made some prediction regarding which players and team will come out on top at the end of the six-week long tournament.
Here is what our writers came up with when attempting to predict the top run-scorer, top wicket-taker and the World Cup champions.
Chris Bailey
Top run-scorer: David Warner
If the floor for Warner at the IPL was a half-century, just imagine what he can do across 50 overs at the World Cup. He’s also the kind of character who will thrive on any jeering from the English.
Top wicket-taker: Trent Boult
Trent Boult
There are very few genuine swing bowlers at the World Cup – especially with a Kookaburra – and if the New Zealand left-armer gets it going, just as he did in the warm-up against India, he’ll rack up the scalps.
Champions: England
They can bat from 1 to 11. They’ve just added one of the best bowlers in the world, Jofra Archer, to their armoury. Clean bill of health. At home. What could go wrong? Plenty has in the past at World Cups, but they’ll never have a more open goal than this.
Ajit Vijaykumar
Top run scorer: Steve Smith
Steve Smith
Not only is Smith peaking just at the right time, the Aussie has a point to prove. The hungriest batsman at the World Cup – alongwith David Warner – after being forced away from the game for a year, Smith should set the tournament ablaze.
Top wicket taker: Kagiso Rabada
Among the group of quality fast bowlers assembled in England, Rabada is a cut above. Pace, swing , Yorkers… you name it he has it. Plus enters the tournament in red hot form with the ball. Batsmen beware.
Champions: India
Virat Kohli’s team has a lot going for it – quality batsman in decent form, world class bowling attack and the greatest cricketing brain in the world – MS Dhoni. If the pitches don’t spring a surprise, they have it in them to go all the way.
Brendon Netto
Top run-scorer: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli
His World Cup record has been underwhelming and is something he’ll be determined to put right. His ODI form over the past couple of years has been sensational. Expect him to assume responsibility in a batting order that can struggle at times.
Top wicket-taker: Kagiso Rabada
He’s one of the best bowlers around and this seems like the perfect platform for him to establish himself as much. The conditions should suit him and if he can fire on all cylinders, it gives South Africa a fighting chance.
Champions: Australia
This isn’t the best team the defending champions have had compete at a World Cup. But there’s a certain defiance about them that’s epitomised by the performances of Steve Smith and David Warner since their return to competitive cricket.
Ashish Peter
Top run-scorer: Virat Kohli
Having failed to really leave his mark in two previous World Cups, the India superstar will be determined to cement his greatest-ever status in the ODI game by taking the 2019 edition by the scruff of its neck.
Top wicket-taker: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan
Once the batting paradises are rolled out in the main tournament, expect the Afghan leg-spin sensation to become the most potent threat. Many international batsmen will be facing him for the first time and could find hard to hope with his subtle variations.
Champions: Australia
Not many would have given it a serious thought a year ago but the five-time champions are peaking at just the right team with the returns of David Warner and Steve Smith. Have almost all bases covered with no major weakness.
Sooraj Kamath
Top run-scorer: Steve Smith
The hunger to perform following a one-year ban could propel Smith to the top of the charts. One could expect some fireworks at the top of the Australian batting line-up with David Warner and Smith out to prove a point.
Top wicket-taker: Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada
Fierce speed, intimidating bouncers and great momentum from a spectacular IPL, Rabada has the potential to gun down top batting line-ups as he looks to help South Africa to a maiden title.
Champions: England
This is probably England’s best shot at a World Cup. The last two editions were won by countries that co-hosted the tournament and hosts England have a genuine chance with their deep batting line-up and fierce bowling attack.
