India, Australia have been the two stand-out teams at World Cup, opines Clive Lloyd

With the World Cup now set to enter its most important phase, former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd has called India and Australia are the most impressive teams of the competition so far. Australia, who are also the defending champions, have already sealed their place in the last four. Having won seven of their eight games so far, they are at the top of the points table at the moment.

A win in their final group game will see Australia finish the league stage as the top-ranked side. The five-time world champions have grown from strength to strength as the tournament has progressed. After losing to India early in the competition, they have looked nearly unstoppable. The Aaron Finch-led side has looked good with both bat and ball. They have defeated the likes of West Indies, Pakistan, England, New Zealand and other teams with ease to prove their title credentials.

India, on the other hand, has performed equally well. Barring the defeat against England, India has not faced much of a problem in dispatching the oppositions. They too have looked equally good with both bat and ball. Their in-form bowlers have already helped them defend modest totals against West Indies and Afghanistan. With 5 wins from 7 games, India is currently second in the points table and look set to enter the last four.

Lloyd lavishes praise on India, Australia

Writing in his column for the ICC, Clive Lloyd went gaga over India and Australia, saying that the two teams have been outstanding in the competition so far.

“Australia are already assured of a place in the semi-finals and India are likely to join them. They have been the two stand-out teams for me at this World Cup. They have understood the conditions better than any of the others and have strolled through. That is the key here,” Clive Lloyd wrote.

Lloyd further wrote that England and New Zealand are the likely two teams who will make up the semifinalists list along with India and Australia. At the same time, he also said that one cannot rule out exciting teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Lloyd also said that Shakib Al Hasan is the best player in the tournament so far.

“England and New Zealand are likely to join those sides, while we can never rule out exciting Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Tigers have, for me, the best player in this tournament in Shakib Al Hasan. His bowling has been decent but his batting has been from a different planet — just ask the West Indies,” wrote Lloyd.