ICC World Cup 2019: 3 Teams that can defeat England in the tournament

As we are coming closer to the much-awaited World Cup, the excitement is taking wings among both cricketers and fans. The all-important event is set to take place in the last week of May, with ten teams battling for the title. Although each participating team looks to be competitive enough, there are a couple of teams who will enter as favourites of the tournament. England cricket team owing to several reasons stands at the top of favourites list.

After finishing as runner-up’s of 1992 World Cup, they have qualified only twice for knockout stages. In overall record, the English team is yet to lift the trophy while has finished second three times. However, the scenario will be different when they will take the field in the upcoming edition. The Eoin Morgan-led side has been playing some extra-ordinary cricket for the last twelve months as they have dominated against almost every opposition.

Nonetheless, there are a few teams who can stun the current number one ranked ODI side in the World Cup. Let’s know three of the strong candidates who can beat England at the event:

New Zealand

New Zealand, without any doubt, is one of the strongest and well-balanced teams in the cricket world today. The side is filled with some flamboyant players, be it in the batting or bowling department. Moreover, the agility in the field makes them even more lethal. The World Cup history though has been quite tricky for them. The Kiwis made it to the semi-finals of the maiden edition in 1975 and later qualified for the semi’s in three other seasons as well. Lately, the Men in Black broke in the finals of 2015 World Cup, however, losing to Australia.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson’s men could give every team a tough time in the World Cup. They have a power-packed seam bowling attack, which remains the top priority in English conditions. Also, with the likes of the experienced Ross Taylor, Willaimson etc alongside few good all-rounders present in the squad, the Black Caps might well pip England and hence go far in the tourney.

Pakistan

Whenever we talk about fast-bowling, it would be unfair to not mention the name of its heavyweights, Pakistan. The team has been home to some par special seam-bowling legends while it still is one of the best bowling sides in the world. The Men in Green are also known for finishing with unexpected results, especially in the limited-overs cricket. On a given day, they can stun any top opposition while occasionally, they can lose to a team not even in the reckoning.

The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side having won the Champions Trophy in England in 2017 would also be a side which can stun the Englishmen in the upcoming World Cup. However, the team needs to do a lot of homework before going into the mega-league as they haven’t been at their best during recent times. Meanwhile, Pakistan have last lifted the World Cup in 1992 under Imran Khan’s captaincy.

India

Who else could be more likely to defeat World’s number one ODI side in the World Cup than the number second team? Indian cricket team will surely go to England in May as favourites not only because of their top ranking but largely due to their excellent reign in One-day cricket in recent times. The Virat Kohli-led side cruised past South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in their respective home venues in the last twelve months, hence touching some distinctive milestones.

The Men in Blue are always known for their strong batting line-up, however, they have equally good bowling attack nowadays. It could be well sorted as three of their players feature in the top ten ranked ODI bowlers. Meanwhile, having last won the World Cup in 2011 at home, India would not only be hoping to pip the hosts but also aiming the big trophy.

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