Weather, bowling will dictate this World Cup
In checking past World Cup scorecards of games played in the UK to try and gain a clue who might win this time, one thing stands out – the teams with the best attack generally make the final.
The one exception was in 1983 when India upset the shortpriced favourites West Indies to set off a revolution in the One Day game.
However, it should be noted that India did have a wily seam attack that cleverly exploited the helpful conditions.
And therein lies a clue to likely success in an England ODI tournament – the conditions. If it’s a damp summer then the team with the best seam attack will start with a huge advantage as batting will be a challenge. If, on the other hand it’s a dry summer, the batsmen will have the upper hand and it’ll be the attacks with plenty of variety – the accent on genuine pace and spin – that are likely to make the final.
Barring injuries, the teams most likely to fit these criteria are Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
That’s five possible winners out of nine teams and I wouldn’t totally discount the suddenly much-improved West Indies and the highly unpredictable Pakistan. The 2019 World Cup promises to be the most openly contested in the UK, and it may well be hardest to predict of all the premier ODI tournaments that have been played.
In breaking down those five teams most likely to feature the best attacks, it’s worth noting they all have wrist-spinners who have been highly effective. India with two are probably best served, but Imran Tahir and Adil Rashid are both very successful, with Adam Zampa and Ish Sodhi the most under-rated.
If the pitches are well worn near tournament end, India with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will be licking their lips.
AUSSIE, SA PACE
In looking at genuine pace bowlers, Australia and South Africa are prominent. Australia could have three in that category and South Africa, with Dale Steyn’s re-emergence, are also well situated. India are also well-placed with the explosive Jasprit Bumrah and the indefatigable Mohammed Shami leading the way.
They, along with the New Zealand pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, are probably best equipped to exploit any seaming conditions.
It’ll be interesting to see if England select Jofra Archer. His inclusion would mean a pacey trio of Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett and Archer, but that could also be at the expense of David Willey’s swing.
Whatever the conditions damp or dry - it’ll be the teams that are able to claim wickets regularly, particularly in the middle overs, which will prevail.
That puts the onus on the batsmen to provide their team with enough runs to clinch victory.
INDIA’S TOP 3
If the pitches are generally flat then England’s power laden line-up has displayed the ability to intimidate opposing attacks and post huge targets. India has a top three to match any team with the emphasis on Virat Kohli’s incredible ability to score big and take his team to victory in a chase. A lot will depend on how much the middle order contributes but Hardik Pandya’s return would bolster the late hitting power.
The much-anticipated return of David Warner and Steve Smith from suspension will substantially boost Australia’s rungetting ability.
The big question mark for the defending champions is how Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja will cope against the stronger attacks, especially if there is encouragement for the pace bowlers.
Of the top teams, the batting side that will be most challenged is South Africa. They are heavily reliant on Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, and with their reputation for regular World Cup brain fades still lingering, they have a lot to prove.
With so many ifs and buts surrounding both teams and conditions, the 2019 World Cup is a prediction minefield; exactly as an elite tournament should be.