2019 Cricket World Cup News, Info, Teams & Fixtures

2019 Cricket World Cup Outright Winner - South Africa to spring a surprise in England and Wales

Freetips staff

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Last updated: 26 May 2019

Freetips staff 26 May 2019

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Proteas to pull rabbit out the hat at 12th Cricket World Cup

South Africa head into the 2019 Cricket World Cup in fine form having won five ODI series in a row (Getty Images)

2019 Cricket World Cup Winner Odds, Predictions & Betting Tips

Preparations are being made and the excitement and anticipation for the 2019 Cricket World Cup has begun. The 12th edition of the tournament is set to be played in England and Wales from 30 May 2019 to 14 July 2019 and will feature ten cricketing nations.

With Ireland and Zimbabwe missing in action, this will be the first World Cup that will not feature all the Test playing nations. This will also be the first time that there will be no Associate members playing the tournament. The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup looks to be one of the most open ICC tournaments in history.

Hosts England will be joined by Australia, Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka who have earned automatic qualification. Afghanistan and West Indies earned their spots through the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The fixture list has been released and the 48 matches will be played across 11 venues in England and Wales.

The Cricket World Cup squads are out and there are some mouthwatering matchups on the horizon. Virat Kohli, Joe Root and Kane Williamson are some of the big names, but also keep an eye out for South African duo Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis. De Kock has scored five 50s and one 100 in his last six ODIs for South Africa whilst captain du Plessis is a steady performer who leads from the front.

2019 Cricket World Cup Winner Betting Odds

Co-hosts England are the tournament favourites followed closely by India and Australia. South Africa and New Zealand are next best followed by Pakistan and West Indies. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are rated outsiders to win the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Nation	Odds
England	3.50
India	4.00
Australia	5.50
South Africa	11.00
New Zealand	12.00
Pakistan	16.00
West Indies	17.00
Bangladesh	101.00
Sri Lanka	101.00
Afghanistan	201.00

England Form & Team News

Head Coach Trevor Bayliss and Captain Eoin Morgan have revolutionised England one day cricket. (Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Home ground advantage means England are the bookies’ favourites. Coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Eoin Morgan have done well to steer the Three Lions out of a dark patch but that does not mean there are any guarantees.

The likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Morgan are big names who can help England win their first ever World Cup. They suffered a blow before the tournament as Alex Hales was controversially dropped from the squad over his drugs ban.

England have beaten Australia, India and Sri Lanka in recent ODI series but also suffered an embarrassing defeat to Scotland and drew 2-2 with the West Indies.

X-Factor: Stokes, all-rounders, and home conditions

Banana peel: Hales controversy, no prior experience of a successful World Cup campaign.

Odds: 3.50

India Form & Team News

India's Virat Kohli has the ability to win a match on his own (CHRISTIAAN KOTZE/AFP/Getty Images)

India broke Australia’s grip on the Cricket World Cup in 2011 and remain one of the dominant forces in the game. While England have been racking up wins post-2015 with an aggressive template and South Africa have re-emerged as a superpower, India under Virat Kohli have been consistent in their own way.

With Rohit Sharma, Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, not to speak of the wrist-spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, India have the firepower to go all the way in 2019. English conditions will be a challenge as ODI pitches generally take swing out of the equation.

Another dilemma for India lies in the fact that several of their key players were heavily involved in the Indian Premier League. With the tournament only just having concluded and the Cricket World Cup a mere two weeks away, fatigue could be an issue.

X-Factor: Kohli, wrist spinners

Banana peel: English conditions, IPL 2019

Odds: 4.00

Australia Form & Team News

ORG_australia-cricket-2015-world-cup-2018May03065348_468066378.jpg — Australia won the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and the five time champions will be tough to beat (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Defending champions Australia face a tournament which could make or break the future of their cricket. All eyes will be on controversial duo David Warner and Steve Smith who have made the squad despite their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.

Australia are however under new leadership with Darren Lehmann having been replaced by Justin Langer as coach. Captain Aaron Finch will look to follow in the footsteps of Michael Clarke and lift the trophy for the Kangaroos.

History is on Australia’s side but their form has been inconsistent lately. Warner and Smith could be key with the bat while fast bowler Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Pat Cummis each have important roles to play.

X-Factor: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Banana peel: Adapting to new era

Odds: 5.50

South Africa Form & Team News

Quinton de Kock odi — South Africa's Quinton de Kock will be a key player for the Proteas at the 2019 Cricket World Cup (Getty Images)

The Proteas have an excellent ODI record and will be looking to finally go all the way in 2019 having made the semifinals four out of the last seven Cricket World Cups. South Africa were knocked out by New Zealand in the last four in 2015 but have won five ODI series in a row.

Coach Ottis Gibson has a mixture of youth and experience to choose from in his squad. There are relatively fresh faces on the highest stage such as Andile Phehlukwayo and Rassie van der Dussen, as well as a youngster who needs no introduction in pace bowler Kagiso Rabada.

In addition, experienced heads such as Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Dale Steyn can pass on plenty of wisdom. South Africa have the element of surprise in their favour as the failures of generations past have led to their solid World Cup preparation slipping largely under the radar.

Many do not expect the Proteas to win and it is for precisely this reason that South Africa are a particularly dangerous side. Quinton de Kock is a batsman to watch as he has hit peak form at the ideal moment with 436 runs in his last six ODIs at an average of just under 73.

X-Factor: Quinton de Kock

Banana peel: Knock-out phobia

Odds: 11.00

New Zealand Form & Team News

ORG_Kane-Williamson-one-day-2018May03065640_929890156.jpg — New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson will be looking to lead his nation to World Cup glory (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)

New Zealand are the neutrals’ favourites,with their unassuming style and reliance on team work. There are no superstars in the side other than captain Kane Williamson, but almost everyone is well aware of his role in the squad.

The Black Caps have a rich pedigree of reaching the semi-finals in the World Cups, having reached the final four seven times out of 11. After faltering at the final hurdle last time around, the hopes are really high that Williamson will inspire them to an historic first World Cup.

However, their record away from home isn’t too great and the lack of an imposing player in their ranks could come back to hurt them.

X-Factor: Team ethic

Banana peel: Away conditions, lack of big names

Odds: 12.00

Pakistan Form & Team News

Mickey Arthur’s men are capable of taking on any team in world cricket on their day. However, numerous recent defeats against the likes of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England suggest Pakistan still have a long way to go.

Hasan Ali has the ability to wreak havoc with the ball whilst Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul-Haq have each recently scored centuries. Pakistan have proven their bowling ability in some matches and their batting prowess in others.

What is needed now from them is a series of complete performances which could see them repeat their 1992 World Cup victory which came under the captaincy of Imran Khan.

X-Factor: Hasan Ali

Banana peel: Inconsistency

Odds: 16.00

West Indies Form & Team News

West Indies will be aiming to draw inspiration from their glory days and spring a surprise at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The Caribbean nation won the first two World Cup tournaments in 1975 and 1979 but have not repeated that feat since.

Star batsman Chris Gayle is the big name in the West Indies squad which is led by captain Jason Holder. Although they are outsiders fto win the 2019 Cricket World Cup victory, recent matches against England demonstrated how dangerous they can be.

X-Factor: Chris Gayle

Banana Peel: Lack of momentum heading into tournament

Odds: 17.00

2019 Cricket World Cup Key Statistics

Australia are defending champions and the most successful side with five titles.
Australia have won 62 of their 84 (74%) World Cup matches.
India have won 46 of their 75 (61%) World Cup matches.
South Africa have won 5 successive ODI series.
South Africa have made 4 World Cup semifinals in 7 appearances.

Verdict

The opening match between England and South Africa can tell us a lot about what to expect from the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan have built a strong side but there have been wobbles.

South Africa have the advantage of being underdogs and this alleviates some of the pressure on Ottis Gibson’s men. There is tremendous value on a South Africa tournament victory at 11.00.

Best Bet: South Africa 2019 Cricket World Cup Winner @ 11.00 at bet365