Cricket World Cup 2019: The X-Factor for each  team in the tournament

With just days to go before the biggest cricket carnival in the world begins, the final preparations and team selections have assumed paramount importance. The action kicks off in style on May 30th in a mouth-watering encounter between South Africa and the hosts, England. Teams still have a couple of days left i.e. till the 23rd of May to submit their final 15-man-squads for the ICC World Cup.

Given the favourable conditions, fan support and recent form, England is definitely the team to beat this summer. Possessing one of the strongest batting line-ups in the world, England is well on its way to sit atop the 'Iron Throne' of the cricket world. They were instrumental in their 4-0 whitewashing of Pakistan, scoring over 340 in all the four ODIs played in the series, with the first game being washed out. But one must also not sleep on the teams ranked lower in the pecking order, as far as ICC ODI Rankings go. Bangladesh remained undefeated in the Ireland Tri-Nation Series and showed all-round brilliance in this short tournament.

T20 cricket has changed the dynamics of the game with bat undoubtedly getting the better of the ball 9 out of 10 times. It looks like that the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will be a batsman-friendly tournament, and the white ball might have to take a backseat. A similar emotion was echoed by Harsha Bhogle, who is part of the 24-man commentary team for the World Cup. On the other hand, Clive Lloyd has expressed that this year's World Cup will be defined and known for the performances of the different all-rounders.

This will unquestionably be a long tournament, and teams with stronger depth in their squads will be the ones who will make it through to the semis. In this article, we will be looking at the X-factor that each team possess – the one player who can change the entire complexion of the game in favour of their respective sides.

#10 Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan has a bowling average of 15.09

Afghanistan's 'Man with the Golden Arm', Rashid Khan, will certainly be the team's go-to-man to pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs of the innings. His variations make him one of the most difficult bowlers to pick in the world. Fans of IPL would know that he's no mug with the bat and we could see him play a few quick-fire innings.

His strong fielding skills make an all-round brilliant performer and that is the reason why ICC has named him one of the five most exciting prospects to look forward to in the upcoming tournament.

#9 Jason Holder (West Indies)

Jason Holder is the captain of the West Indies Cricket Team

Jason Holder is the glue that has been holding the West Indies Cricket Team together and is one of the major reasons behind their rejuvenation of sorts. The West Indies, despite being on the losing side in the recently conducted tri-nation series, are quite an unpredictable team, and given the arsenal they possess in the form of Gayle, Russell, Shai Hope and Roach, it would be foolish to write them off before the tournament begins.

Holder can contribute with both the bat and bowl in his hand, and he has really come into his own as a leader of the group. If the 'Windies' aim to bag the crown a third time, they would want him to fire on all cylinders.

#8 Lasith Mainga (Sri Lanka)

Malinga bowled the tournament-winning over of IPL 12

Playing his last World Cup, Lasith Malinga would definitely want to bring the trophy home to the Island of Lanka. Age is just a number and Malinga is another prime example of that. Even at the age of 35, the 'Slinga' is still going strong and there still seems to be enough gas left in his tank. Malinga brings in a lot of veteran experience to the team, which will prove to be invaluable for the relatively younger, inexperienced squad.

Ever since Asia Cup 2018, Malinga has got his old groove back and the opposition batsmen better be prepared to dodge those slinging yorkers.

#7 Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Babar Azam is Pakistan's resident No.3

This has to be one of Pakistan's strongest batting line-ups entering a major ICC tournament in a long time, and a major portion of the credit goes to the top order featuring Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq.

At a healthy average of over 51 and a decent strike rate of over 85, Azam's performance at the World Cup will play a pivotal role in Pakistan's success. Pakistan has reinforced their bowling department bringing back both Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, but there will be times when the batting would have to chase totals going over 300.

At No.3, Azam will be expected to provide stability to the batting order, as he can play both pace and spin quite well. His recent form bodes well for Pakistan as Azam was able to muster 261 runs from just 4 matches in the bilateral series against England.

#6 Tom Latham (New Zealand)

Latham is the vice-captain of the Black Caps

Even though there are chances that Latham might miss Kiwis' opening encounter against Sri Lanka, he remains a key figure in the New Zealand batting department. He is one of the few players in the Black Caps' squad who can play spin really well as was evident in the bilateral series against India in 2018-19.

He has the ability to move up and down the order with relative ease, whether it's opening the innings or batting at No.5, which will allow Williamson some flexibility to make changes, as the situation demands. Additionally, he will also be keeping wickets, and providing useful insights to bowlers from behind the stumps.

#5 Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Maxwell is a batting all-rounder

With the return of Steven Smith and David Warner to the squad, it looks like Australia is once again on the path to World Cup success. A strong batting order, coupled with a formidable bowling line-up and a positive team environment, has meant that Australia is well on its way to defend its crown. One big name they will be relying on to have a fantastic World Cup is the 30-year-old all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

A hard hitter of the white cricket ball, Maxwell possesses a strike rate of over 120, and has the ability to render bowling attacks useless. A livewire on the field, Maxwell can also pitch-in a few overs with his off-breaks, releasing pressure off captain Aaron Finch, in case one of his strike bowlers start losing the plot. Australia would hope that the 'Big Show' comes to the party on the biggest stage of cricket.

#4 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Rabada is South Africa's strike bowler

Playing his first World Cup in what has been a young, blissful career so far, the leader of the South African pace attack is one of the few names who will put the World Cup on fire. A sheer pace-machine, Kagiso Rabada is one of the most lethal bowlers going in the world right now.

At a bowling average of 26 and an economy under 5, opposition batsmen are in for a tough time when it comes to countering the pace and bounce of Rabada. There is no doubt as to why Wisden named him the Best Young Player in 2018. The Proteas would hope for him to remain fit throughout the tournament if they intend to get rid of the Chokers tag that has been haunting them since long.

#3 Shakib-Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Shakib is the Vice-Captain of the Bangladesh Cricket Team

Bangladesh will rely on the services of Shakib-Al Hasan, the No.2 all-rounder on the ICC ODI Rankings, to have a successful summer in England this year. A consistent performer for Bangladesh, Shakib would want to put his best foot forward in their attempt to seize the coveted trophy.

Bangladesh will have to believe that this will be their best chance so far in their long history to win the World Cup, as their squad comprises of a fine blend of experience and 'young blood'.

#2 Jos Buttler (England)

Buttler is the Vice-Captain of the English Cricket Team

A majority of cricket pundits and fans believe that it's England's time to finally lay their claim on the biggest prize of the very game they invented. This will probably be the strongest English batting-order fans have seen in a long time, and due credit goes to the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler.

The English vice-captain is in prime form and it's safe to assume that he will be wreaking havoc on the opposition bowling line-ups. A strike rate which is touching almost 120 and a decent average of over 41, Buttler with his innovative shot-making and savage ball-smashing is definitely the one batsman to look out for.

#1 Hardik Pandya (India)

Hardik Pandya usually bats at No.7 for the Indian Cricket Team

Apart from the hosts, the Indian Cricket Team is the other top contender for World Cup supremacy. Virat Kohli's men will be looking to walk out of the Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 14th, holding the beautiful golden trophy in their hands. If history is anything to go by, India's last two successful World Cup campaigns had one thing in common: the team's MVP was an all-rounder. It was the legendary Kapil Dev in 1983 and the resilient Yuvraj Singh in 2011.

Going by this, the onus is on Hardik Pandya, who will be playing his first World Cup, to show sheer brilliance in the six-week long tournament. Pandya has all the talent in the world, whether it's smashing bowlers left, right and centre, or picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs, or pulling off some insane catches in the outfield. Hardik Pandya will have to bring his A-game if The Men in Blue intend on bringing the World Cup home.