ICC World Cup 2019: Issues teams need to sort out ahead of the tournament

New Zealand

New Zealand have always remained the dark horse in the World Cup and raised the bar in the last World Cup held Down Under where they reached the final and lost their first match of the tournament there to trans-Tasman rivals Australia. The Black Caps can also spring a surprise or two and the next World Cup will be no different for the side which is ranked third in the ICC list.

Kane Williamson’s side, however, need to tackle a couple of issues if they fancy to beat the best to win the trophy. One is their batting order. They have the likes of Williamson, Martin Guptill and veteran Ross Taylor, yet their batting order lacks a complete shape and may struggle to pose big totals against quality attacks. They might have a problem in finding a solid opening partner for Guptill as well.

South Africa

The team with the biggest jinx at the World Cup perhaps, South Africa will renew their efforts to make the final in the upcoming edition and also win it. But the Proteas might find it difficult to make it a success this time as well for a number of reasons. First, they no more have the likes of AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel in their ranks.

They are still in the middle of rebuilding their side and that could leave South Africa a loose unit when the tournament commences. Veterans like Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy and Dale Steyn are prone to injuries and nobody knows whether they will be available with full fitness in the World Cup. The current ODI form of the South Africans is good but their wins have come more against weak teams and the side could struggle against quality bowling attacks, especially spin.