ICC World Cup 2019: Allan Donald names the dark horses of the mega event

Former South African cricketer Allan Donald believes that the hosts England have a very strong chance of winning their maiden World Cup title this year. England, the hosts of ICC World Cup 2019, had a terrible outing in the previous edition of the tournament. The setback was denting, and they have come out really strong after that dismal run. They have been juggernauts in limited-overs cricket and have arguably been the most consistent ODI unit in recent times.

It comes as no surprise why Allan Donald feels England have the best chance this summer. Recently, Donald likened the current English side to the herculean South African unit that had an exceptional run in the 1999 World Cup. They were unfortunate to have bowed out in the semis back then. Donald was a part of the setup that had tasted disappointment. He termed it as a ‘real tragedy’.

“My memory that will always stand out is the 1999 World Cup, not because I was run out in the semi-final, but the team that I played with, that team had the belief, I just knew that team had the ability to win the World Cup for sure. The disappointing fact of what happened was just a real tragedy,” Allan Donald told ESPNcricinfo.

“On current form, you’ve got to say that England are playing a brand of cricket that’s saying to others, ‘If you’re going to beat us, you’re going to have to play out of your boots,'” he added.

The dark horses

While Donald feels England will be the favourites to lift the title, he also pointed out two teams to be the dark horses – Pakistan and Windies. The former pacer believes these two sides have a unique factor about them, and they will surely cause a few upsets at the ICC major this season.

“Watch out for the West Indies, I say, watch out for the West Indies! There’s just something there, there’s a new spark there that I think the rest of the world want to see – West Indies competing like they are right now. The men in maroon, for me, I would say, be wary of them, they’re going to really be a factor in this World Cup,” quoted the former South African cricketer.

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