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.
The penultimate round features the two semi-final games with India taking on New Zealand and England facing Australia.
Top tip
Openers to thrive on batting surfaces
Both Old Trafford and Edgbaston have proved to be really good batting surfaces. Australia, England and India boast of an incredibly top-heavy batting line-up. Rohit Sharma is currently in the form of his life, with David Warner, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow not far behind. KL Rahul has seemingly picked the right time to peak and Aaron Finch too looks to be in great form.
One can expect fireworks at the top of the order on Tuesday and Thursday, with at least three of the six players firing to a big score.
You would want to stay clear of the New Zealand openers who have been disappointing this World Cup.
BATSMEN
Rohit Sharma
Fresh from cruising to a century in India’s win over Sri Lanka, the leading run-getter of the tournament will be looking to lead the Men in Blue to their third Cricket World Cup final in the 21st century. The Old Trafford hosted Rohit’s sensational ton against Pakistan and could witness yet another master-class from the Indian opener.
The 32-year-old has registered six 50+ scores in eight innings, five of which were converted into tons. Rohit was dismissed for just two runs by Trent Boult when the two teams met in a warm-up game prior to the World Cup. But the momentum is currently in the batsman’s favour as he attempts to reach yet another big score.
Jonny Bairstow
With successive tons against India and New Zealand under his belt, English opener Bairstow will be entering the semis in the right frame of mind. He will be wielding the willow on the same ground where he scored 111 against India and Australia conceded 325 against South Africa.
The conditions are in Bairstow’s favour and his late resurgence in the World Cup could propel him to a big total on the big day.
Aaron Finch
The Aussie openers have been very consistent so far and runs will continue to flow in all likelihood. When it comes to choosing between Warner and Finch in a fantasy team, it’s usually a coin toss. Both players are almost equally likely to reach triple digits.
However, Finch could marginally beat Warner to being the wiser pick in this case, thanks to his ton against the same opposition a few days ago. 507 runs, two centuries, three fifties, more on the way?
BOWLERS
Trent Boult
Boult’s in-swingers are bound to rattle the Indian batting department, much like they did in the warm-up game in which India were bowled out for just 179 runs. The top order has shown some improvement since but the middle-order remains the biggest flaw in India’s World Cup campaign.
Should Boult break the dam at the top of India’s batting line-up, he could cause a catastrophic middle-order collapse.
Jofra Archer
The break-out star of the World Cup will make it his responsibility to lead his team to their first World Cup final in 27 years. Archer has picked up 17 wickets so far and has come clutch whenever his team needed him. The 24-year-old has bowled 300 dot-balls in this tournament and has appeared unplayable at times.
Arguably England’s most potent arrow in the quiver, Archer could hold the key against eternal rivals Australia at a ground that has been favourable to England.
Jason Behrendorff
While Mitchell Starc is the obvious choice among the Aussie bowlers, Jason Behrendorff could also make a fair case to his claim after a sensational performance against England a few days ago.
The 29-year-old removed openers James Vince and Bairstow to hand his team a solid start. In his last spell, Behrendorff returned to clean the tail and complete a five-wicket haul. The pacer could team up with Starc to knock England out of the competition.
ALL-ROUNDERS
James Neesham
All-rounder James Neesham has been one of the few consistent players for the Kiwis. The Auckland-born has scored 201 runs and claimed 11 wickets so far, placing himself among the upper echelons of all-rounders in this tournament.
The 29-year-old could be handy with the bat in the middle overs. With the ball, Neesham can provide the breakthrough that his team might need half-way through India’s innings.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes.
Ben Stokes has been a warrior for England in desperate times. The batting all-rounder registered 80-plus scores against Sri Lanka and Australia in a losing cause and has been one of their best players when under pressure.
The 28-year-old has scored 401 runs and claimed seven wickets in this tournament, playing a crucial role in England’s deep run. Stokes was a thorn in Australia’s side during their win over England in the group stages and could continue to prick in the semis.
Wicket-keeper
Alex Carey
Alex Carey has been an unexpected entry into the league of swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsmen who love to cause havoc in the death overs. The southpaw has slowly helped himself to 329 runs despite playing at the lower end of the batting order.
Expect Carey to play an explosive cameo against England, like he has done in the World Cup so far. Also, the 27-year-old prefers to deal in boundaries and a batting free-hit in this tie could help amplify his impact.
Captain: Trent Boult
Vice-captain: Jonny Bairstow
