The cricket world cup started with hosts England thumping South Africa in world cup opener with a massive margin of 104 runs to start their world cup campaign on a high. The world cup got underway on May 30 and will conclude on July 14, with the finals at the iconic Lord’s in London.
England are the firm favourites to lift the trophy, however some experts claim India to be a force to reckon with alongside Australia who are high in confidence after pipping India 3-2 in India and clean sweeping Pakistan 5-0 in United Arab Emirates(UAE). The returning Steve Smith and David Warner will add more strength to the team.
Brett Lee predicts the semi-finalists
The former India great agreed that this world cup will be a high scoring tournament. “Yeah, i think it will be a high scoring world cup. There will be some games which probably will not be that kind of high scoring games but the, generally the way pitches in England are, generally its a high scoring game,” Kumble told Zainab Abbas during the world cup opening party in London.
When asked about the four semi-finalists, the veteran of 132 tests and 271 ODIs opined that hosts and world number one side in ODI format- England alongside India will make it to the last four.
He also picked Australia to make the semi-finals of the show piece event. The return of David Warner and Steve Smith after serving one year ban following sandpaper gate controversy has strengthened the Australian team.
He picked West Indies to take the last spot and named them the “dark horses” of the tournament. The men in maroon pipped a much fancied Pakistan in their opening clash in Nottingham and won the game by 7 wickets. Windies bowlers striked when it mattered the most and as a result Pakistan got bundled out on 105 runs in the first innings.
Talking about New Zealand, Kumble said that the 2015 finalists have always punched above their weight in ICC tournaments and will be a good team in the show-piece event.
Anil Kumble’s four semi-finalists
England
India
Australia
West Indies
