Former opener Alastair Cook believes hosts England are the favourites for the 2019 ICC World Cup and is backing Eoin Morgan and his men to win the grand prize in front of home fans this summer.
Cook, who was recently knighted for his services, feels that England have learned their lesson from their 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final defeat on home soil to eventual champions Pakistan.
“England have an outstanding chance,” Cook was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“This is first time going into a World Cup England have such a settled squad. Everything looks great from the outside, they have every option covered.”
“They had that blip in the Champions Trophy, where they lost in the semi-final to Pakistan when they were favourites, but you need those lows to be able to grow as a side.”
Morgan and his men are ranked No1 in the ODI format.
No1 ranked England are yet to win a 50-over World Cup title and Cook is confident that the drought will finally end on July 14 when the final is held at Lord’s.
“They are favourites. This is a great opportunity for Eoin (Morgan) and the guys to play some fantastic cricket,” the 34-year-old said.
“There are match winners throughout the squad, there are batsmen that can win games on their own, and over the last six or eight months the bowling has really come on. I think they are going to win it.”
Hosts England will open their 2019 World Cup campaign on May 30 when they take on South Africa in the tournament opener at the Oval in London.
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