DHAKA: The 12th edition of Cricket World Cup grand gala event took off Thursday (May 30) at London between Host and hot favourite England and Choker tagged at knock out stage South Africa.
Cricket world cup sponsored by Prudential Insurance Company was first launched in the cricket's mother country in 1975. Played over 60 overs in traditional whites Charismatic Clive Lloyd of unbeatable West Indies at that time lifted the trophy at Lords beating Australia. Since then 11 editions of cricket world cup has been held in 7 countries across 4 continents over the past 44 years. The matches are now of 50 overs and played in colour clothes. Australia has won it record five times, West Indies and India won twice and Pakistan and Sri Lanka won it once each. England, South Africa, New Zealand and rookies Afghanistan are yet to win any.
This is the record fourth time ECB managing Cricket are jointly hosting the event. This year 10 ICC full member teams out of 12 are participating in a revised tournament format. Eight top teams in ICC ODI ranking Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka got automatic qualifications. The last two West Indies and Afghanistan qualified playing in the qualification round. Among the ICC full member teams Zimbabwe and Ireland did not qualify. Each team would play against the other once and the top four would play in the semi finals. Never before the teams have been so equally balanced.
Given the present form, relative strength and balance reigning champions Australia, strong India and host England are tipped featuring into the top four. There would be fierce competition for fourth spot among New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh. Teams like Afghanistan and Sri Lanka may also create some upsets tilting the balance of the favourite teams.
The first match between host England and strong challenger South Africa will be key for both creating momentum. Both teams are equally balanced with England having the home advantage.
English cricket maestros, media and barmy army waited for the last four decades. They appeared in the finals on three occasions. But at Lords, Eden Gardens and MCG they failed winning every time. This time on the inaugural match of the 12th World cup, the fifth time on English soil championship potential England is up against a very strong challenger South Africa.
Light blue English Lions are in great touch targeting 500 in 50 overs and more than that lifting the cup first time ever. The green with yellow tinge were silent onlookers over the first four editions. Got the first opportunity for playing from 1992. They were somehow hit upon ever more gruesome ways to screw up their best laid plans. Rain rules (DRS) deprived them twice, last ball sixes once. South Africa have been the team from which great teams have been expected and on which great calamity has endlessly been bestowed.
This time when England meets South Africa bookies tipped the home side for their explosive recent form. South Africa without Jack Kallis like ace all rounder and AB de Villiers like 360degree batsman and even without x-factor may find it difficult to match the flam boyance of the hosts.
English Squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire),Tom Curran (Surrey),Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Liam Plunkett (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham) James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)and Mark Wood (Durham)
The main strength of English team lies in the horses for courses players in all positions. They bat deep and have great all rounders . Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow would open the innings. Both are in prolific form. Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes are dynamic batsmen. Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes can keep the momentum going. On English Wickets even 350 runs are not safe even to defend as it appeared in recent times in Pakistan England bilateral series. England has good attack also. Liam Plunkett, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes are good bowlers .But English attack has been bolstered with the inclusion of Jofra Archer at the last minute. He bowls fast and furious. Spin department is in the safe hands of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
South Africa Squad:
Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Joe Paul Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, and Andile Phehlukwayo.
The absence of two greats Kallis and de Villiers (both retired) and Dale Steyn injured would considerably weakened South Africa. But the team retains still great firepower making competitive scores and defending with great bowlers Rabada, Nigidi, Chris Morris, Imaran Tahir. The most satisfying is that Hashim Amla is back in form. Q de Kock, du Plessis and David Miller can pack the punch. Youngster Markram is also dynamic.
It will be any body’s match. Hope South Africa do not crumble under pressure.
Against all prediction I predict South Africa Winning today.
BDST: 1407 HRS, MAY 30, 2019
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