Clive Lloyd picks England as the favourites to win the World Cup

With the ICC Cricket World Cup less than 15 days away, former cricketers and experts have been picking their favourites for the tournament. West Indies legend Clive Lloyd, a World Cup champion skipper himself backs hosts England as the favourites to win the coveted silverware. He also accepted the fact that there can never be just one favourite for any trophy in a tournament like this.

Not only Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner, but England have also been termed favourites by several others owing to their current form and the fact that they are hosting the tournament. In the on-going ODI series with Pakistan for instance, their batting line-up has been firing full throttle and has made the Pakistani bowlers look completely powerless. The likes of Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Joe Root and Jason Roy can take on any bowling attack in the world.

“Well, not one. From 1983 onwards, I have noticed the favourite team could not finally win the Cup. Did anyone expect Pakistan to win the Cup in 1992 or Sri Lanka in 1996? I am surprised England have not yet been successful in winning the Cup. But there is a strong wave in UK that England will do well this time. No doubt they had done well in recent years. They are a good balanced side. England will be a very tough competitor this time,” Lloyd was quoted as saying by Times of India.

England have won seven of their last nine ODI series

The England men’s team has never won a 50-overs World Cup, but are tipped for glory this time. They have won seven out of their last nine ODI series, including victories over India, Australia and New Zealand. Having set a new record total of 481 for six against Australia at home last year, Eoin Morgan’s men have built a reputation of being the best batting side in the world. Their pace attack now has an extra gun after Jofra Archer was named in the 15-member squad.

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