CWC 2019: A combined playing XI comprising the Ashes rivals

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is just around the corner. As of this writing, all teams have arrived in England and started their warm-up matches. The showpiece event promises spectacular cricketing action in the days to come.

All the teams have equal motivation to win so the tournament is going to be filled with close competitions and fierce faceoffs. Speaking about close contests and fierce rivalries, no others can match that of Australia and England. The Ashes series featuring them are spellbinders.

Australia enters this World Cup as the most successful side in the event's history, whereas England has never lifted the coveted trophy. Many cricket lovers would be eager to see this monumental clash in the 2019 World Cup.

Recently, both played their first World Cup warm-up game against each other. Australia won the match after a formidable effort. We have to wait till June 25th to see the fate of their main encounter. This article puts together a team containing the combustible elements from cricket's oldest rivals.

Openers: Jonny Bairstow and David Warner

David Warner and Jonny Bairstow (Image Courtesy:BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

Top order batting is a must for any World Cup-winning side. Australia has Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, and David Warner who possess the experience. Meanwhile, England has Jonny Bairstow who had been a revelation in the recent past.

The English side also depends on Jason Roy and James Vince for the top order role. So there are quite some options to choose from for the role of opening batsmen. The best opening pair for this combined XI would be Warner and Bairstow.

Both of them are explosive openers and the right-hand, left-hand combination is something that bowlers couldn't decode easily. Plus, they have the experience of playing together for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their record-breaking 185 run partnership is a testament to their partnership.

Also read - Highest batting average world cup

Middle-order: Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Jos Buttler

A team with a solid middle-order gives a lot of confidence for other batsmen because if they underperform the middle order is there to balance things out. In that case, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Jos Buttler would be the apt choice.

Obviously, Root and Smith are modern day greats with ample records. Their steady strokeplay would stabilize things. Buttler's ODI strike rate of 119.57 ensures that the run rate stays intact. Butler is also a better wicketkeeping option than Alex Carey at the moment.

Finishers: Glenn Maxwell and Ben Stokes

Glenn Maxwell is one of the world's best finishers at the moment. His ODI strike rate of 121.95 shows what he is capable of doing in the lower middle order. Maxwell is also a decent off-spinner with wicket-taking abilities.

The fast bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes is equally important in such a playing XI. Stokes can do maximum damage with both bat and ball. This right-left attacking combo can script a solid finish together. Importantly, they are gun fielders and solid bowlers.

Fast bowlers: Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer

Mitchell Starc is someone who cannot be omitted from any playing XI. The 29-year-old has created an impressive ODI record with 145 wickets in 75 matches. Starc was also the leading wicket-taker of the 2015 World Cup.

Jofra Archer, unlike Starc, doesn't have much ODI experience. However, there is an X-factor in him. The combo of this uncanny veteran and the unknown youngster has success written all over it. Initially, batsmen would struggle against this left-right combination.

Spinners: Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa

Both Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa are leg spinners. As leg spin is an effective weapon these days it would be wise to have them both. Lyon as an experienced off-spinner would look like a better option than Zampa but the numbers say otherwise.

In ODI games, Zampa has 60 wickets in 44 matches compared to Lyon's record of 26 wickets in 25 matches. Rashid is one of the top 10 ODI bowlers according to ICC rankings which makes him a suitable option from England.

Who should captain this dream team? Let us know in the comments section.