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.
Brian Lara predicts the winner
The former Caribbean legend opines that England are certain to make it the semi-finals stage but he doubts if the Three Lions will win the trophy as they have a habit to lose on big occasions. He further asserted that the Eoin Morgan led side is pretty solid and they gonna be a big deal at the show piece event.
“I feel like they are going to be in the semi-finals of the World Cup, I think that’s a certainty… (and) I don’t rule England out. (But) the records show that in all-important games, they walk away losers. England tend not to win things – finals – but they are a pretty solid team and they are going to be a big deal in the World Cup,” Lara was quoted as saying by Sportsmail.
The Trinidad and Tobago born cricketer backed Virat Kohli’s Indian team to lift the world cup trophy this year. He opines that India are the best team when it comes to ability.
“I believe India might be the best team in terms of the ability to go throughout the tournament – the variation they have in their bowling, the outstanding batting they have so my pick will be that India will make it through to the final,” he said.
Lara said that West Indies are the dark horses of the tournament but the Jason Holder led side is not in his list of world cup semi-finalists. He further added that all the other teams will be scared if the West Indies makes it to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
