The biggest prize in cricket is up for grabs this summer as the top 10 teams battle it out in the 2019 ICC World Cup in England.
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. And we are 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 second round which includes five matches.
TOP TIP
Runs expected to flow in England vs Pakistan
While the first World Cup 2019 clash at Trent Bridge saw Pakistan bowled out for a paltry 105 against the West Indies, there is every indication that big totals will be the order of the day when the Men in Green take on hosts England at the same venue on Monday.
The strip to be used in Monday’s clash is the same one on which England have posted two world record ODI totals. They first scored 443 against Pakistan at the venue in 2016 before amassing 481-6 against the Aussies last year.
As such, it makes sense to stack up your Fantasy line up with England batsmen who have been in good form of late.
Stack up on England batsmen such as Jason Roy.
BATSMEN
Jason Roy (9 credits)
The England opener started off his World Cup with a fine 54 against South Africa and will be eyeing a lot more against Pakistan.
The right-hander has been to key to several of England’s giant totals in the past few years with an ODI average of nearly 41 along with a strike-rate of over 106. Roy should relish batting on the potential batting paradise at Trent Bridge against a Pakistan bowling attack which is short of confidence.
Ross Taylor (10 credits)
The New Zealand stalwart is only behind the Indian pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen for a reason. Taylor has been in sensational form since the turn of 2017 and has been averaging nearly 71 with the bat in the period.
His New Zealand side are up against Bangladesh at The Oval which as a venue has seen the 300-run mark crossed by one team in both matches it has hosted so far.
Babar Azam (10 credits)
While Pakistan’s bowlers could be in for a tough day against England, their batting mainstay Babar Azam should put up good numbers. The 24-year-old batsman has been a consistent performer in all formats and his class should see him thrive in the batting conditions at Trent Bridge.
He failed to kick on after getting a decent start in the loss to Windies and will be eager to bounce back from that disappointment.
Babar Azam is always a reliable performer.
BOWLERS
Jofra Archer (8.5 credits)
The Barbados-born pacer has so far justified the hype surrounding him in England colours with some fiery displays since making his ODI debut.
He looked excellent in the ODI series against Pakistan and then marked his World Cup debut with a superb 3-27 against South Africa. Archer has shown he can translate his T20 prowess into the 50-over game and his express pace should be a handful for Pakistan’s batsmen.
Rashid Khan (9.5 credits)
The Afghanistan leg-spin sensation is a world beater in the limited-overs format and will be licking his lips at the prospects of facing a nervous Sri Lanka batting unit.
He was negated well by the Aussie batsmen in Afghanistan’s World Cup opener but his class should show at some stage of the tournament and the Sri Lanka clash might just be what he needs to get going.
Jasprit Bumrah (9.5 credits)
India are late entrants to the 2019 World Cup party and Jasprit Bumrah is primed to shine as the Men in Blue get ready to open their campaign against the Proteas.
The No1 ranked ODI bowler in the world has looked in good rhythm and wicket-taking form in the IPL and more recently in India’s two warm-up clashes. Should at the very least be economical against South Africa even if he doesn’t get among the wickets.
Expect Bumrah to stamp his authority on proceedings.
ALL-ROUNDERS
Ben Stokes (9 credits)
The England star all-rounder looked out of sorts in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals but has taken no time in getting back to his best in international colours. Stokes was the star of England’s fine win over South Africa in the opener with the all-rounder leading the side’s charge with the bat with a superb 89.
He then followed it up with a fine bowling display by claiming two wickets while also pulling off a stunning catch that still has the internet abuzz.
Andre Russell (9.5 credits)
After ripping apart bowling attacking at will during the the recent IPL, Windies all-rounder Andre Russell has brought the same form to the World Cup. Dre Russ is arguably the most in-form game-changer with both bat and ball in international cricket at the moment.
While he did not get a chance to bat, the all-rounder started Pakistan’s collapse with a menacing spell of short-pitched bowling that saw him claim two wickets. Expect him to have a similar impact against the Aussies.
Russell has already started the World Cup on fire.
WICKETKEEPER
Jos Buttler (9.5 credits)
The talented right-hander failed to fire against the Proteas but a big innings is always around the corner with the kind of form he has been in recent years.
He scored a 50-ball ton against Pakistan in the recent ODI series and can be expected to put in a similar performance when he faces up to the same opposition on Monday.
Captain: Andre Russell
Vice-captain: Ben Stokes
