CWC 2019: Ranking the top 3 batting sides in the tournament

It is that time of the year when cricket fans all over the world rejoice. It is the ICC Cricket World Cup month. Every cricket playing nation takes pride in watching their team perform at the highest stage and win matches to get the trophy home. This year ten teams namely England, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan fight to become the world champions.

It's been already four years since the trans-Tasman finale where New Zealand put up a shoddy performance to lose the final at the hands of their rivals Australia. Every team has chosen its preliminary squad for the upcoming mega event, and have indeed put their best combinations possible.

The conditions in England this time are more conducive to the batsmen. The wickets are fully dry and flat with least assistance to the bowlers. So the team that bats really well throughout the event has more chances to make it to the finals. Each team has notable names in their batting unit.

Here we will look at the top three batting sides in the tournament.

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#3 Australia

Australia

One thing about Australia is their competitive nature and dominance when it comes to ICC tournaments. Australia has always played the best cricket when it comes to multi-nation tournaments. The fact that they are 5-time world champions stands testimony to their dominance in world cricket.

Although Australian cricket had to go through their lowest ever moments for controversial incidents reflecting in their performances in the past 2 years, the team has got back to its best at the right time. The team is riding on confidence after winning ODI series against India and Pakistan recently.

The defending champions have named yet another strong team for this world cup. Moreover, the return of David Warner and Steve Smith has boosted the team balance immensely. The Aussie batsmen have fared well since the last World Cup - Aaron Finch (41), Warner (55.17), Smith (44.8), Usman Khawaja (47), Glenn Maxwell (32), and Alex Carey (31). The presence of the experienced Shaun Marsh, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis adds more balance to the already strong batting line up for the Aussies.

Preliminary Squad:

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon.

#2 India

Indian

Team India is tagged one of the favourites to win the 2019 World Cup due to the quality of players in the squad. After winning their second World Cup title in 2011 at home, the team failed to reach finals in 2015. The semi-final loss at the hands of five-time world champions Australia in 2015 edition was shattering for India.

This year India will look to perform consistently with the star-studded squad chosen for the World cup. The batting line up of India is nightmarish to any bowler on any day. The likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, and Hardik Pandya are true match winners.

The averages of Indian batsmen since 2016 - Dhawan (46.6), Rohit (63.75), Kohli (85.36), Dhoni (43.8), Rahul (35), Jadhav (42.88), and Pandya (30) are simply outstanding. Pandya gives that big hitting option at the death overs with his powerful striking. India is certainly one of the top batting sides in the tournament starting from May 30.

Preliminary Squad:

Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik.

#1 England

England

It's unfortunate how England as a nation gave cricket to the whole world, have not won a single ODI World Cup. They have been the runners up thrice, but couldn't lay their hands on the trophy that matters.

However, team England was aware of the fact and their preparations started soon after the harsh exit from the 2015 World Cup, where they were knocked out by the underdogs Bangladesh. Team England currently boast of the top quality batting line up for the world cup 2019 and the players know their home conditions better than anyone.

The pitches in England getting flat every passing year only makes their job easier to score at will. The batting averages of their batsmen after last World Cup are worth taking a note. Jonny Bairstow (50.9), Jason Roy (43), Joe Root (58.72), Eoin Morgan (43.8), Jos Buttler (50.08), and Ben Stokes (53.29) speak volumes for the credibility of their batting line up. The hosts will definitely look to end their quest for maiden ODI World Cup trophy this year.

Preliminary Squad:

Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, David Willey.