CWC 2019: Strengths and weaknesses of each team

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is about to get underway and the warm-up games are going on in full flow. The teams are taking their time to get their strongest playing XI settled and get all the wrinkles and doubts ironed out.

The first match of the World Cup on May 30th will be played between the hosts England and South Africa. Each team will be getting 2 warm-up fixtures before the tournament begins and judging by the current makeup of many sides, it's expected that by analyzing the players' performances in these matches, their team management will finalize a starting XI for the tournament.

This will also be the time for teams to experiment something new and for the oppositions to observe the game of other teams before the league starts so that they can plan accordingly. It helps to analyze what the strengths and weaknesses of a side are.

Each team will be looking to analyze the conditions and their strengths and weaknesses before they start their respective campaigns.

Let's take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

#10 Afghanistan

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.

Strengths: Afghanistan's biggest strength is undoubtedly their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The three of them had rather contrasting fortunes in the first warm-up game against Pakistan. Mohammad Nabi will be a key player in Afghanistan's World Cup campaign because the sun-baked England pitches are showing a liking for off-spin and Nabi got a lot of turn in the first warm-up game.

Rashid Khan had many Pakistan batsmen on edge in the warm-up tie and picked up 2 wickets while Mujeeb was quite expensive with the ball going wicketless.,

These 3 spinners have received the maximum exposure out of all the Afghanistan players, having played among the top players in the world in the top leagues. Hence they will be the main strength for Afghanistan in this World Cup.

Weaknesses: While Afghanistan's dominant performance against Pakistan might leave no room for spotting any weakness, they do have a pretty prominent one.

The lack of effectiveness from their pace bowlers has hurt Afghanistan and despite having close to 5 pacers in their playing XI, they weren't able to match the efforts of the 2 spinners in the side. The pacers have been forever expensive and none of their pacers have played in any big league where they rub shoulders with experienced players from the world.

They have leaked a lot of runs in whatever stage they have bowled in and against top oppositions, they have failed to pick up enough wickets. The Afghans missed a trick by omitting Shapoor Zadran from the squad and now the pace attack lacks steam and intent.

Afghanistan need to have a harsh word in with their pacers to hit consistent lines, stem the run flow and create more wicket-taking opportunities than what they have done so far.

#9 Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne.

Strengths: Sri Lanka's decline from one of the top ODI sides to almost the rock-bottom has been a gradual one but even if you take a look at the team now, there are sparks of brilliance which somehow refuse to come together.

Sri Lanka's biggest strength will obviously be their twin all-rounders in Angelo Matthews and Thisara Perera and also the strong No.3 and No.4 combination of Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis. These 4 players will be the key for Sri Lanka along with skipper Dimuth Karunaratne who made a solid return to the ODI format and stroked a patient 87 against South Africa in the warm-up fixture.

Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera are explosive batsmen who have been the only bright sparks for Sri Lanka for a long time. Mendis can also open the batting and has fared well in that position too. Angelo Matthews' consistency with the bat is a welcome occurrence but Thisara Perera's constant failures is a cause for concern.

Weaknesses: A lot of weaknesses plague the 'Islanders' and the most primary concern being the highly ineffective showings of their spin bowlers.

They have been unable to pick up wickets and have been taken apart by oppositions and this prevents Sri Lanka from taking control of the middle overs which are a crucial part of the game. They have been expensive and haven't been able to pick up more than one wicket and players like Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis need to be given a talking to by the captain.

Also, the lack of contributions from their lower middle order is a worrying sign for Sri Lanka. Though they have a decent top order which lasts until Angelo Matthews, beyond that, the contributions haven't been coming from the other all-rounders like Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Jeevan Mendis and Sri Lanka need to remedy this before it puts too much pressure on their top order.

#8 West Indies

Shai Hope- A rising star.

Strengths: Despite coming into this World Cup as one of the weaklings, the West Indies have a pretty strong squad with a lot of their T20 specialists coming into the ODI side.

One of their biggest strengths will be the presence of star all-rounder Andre Russell to compliment one of the most under-rated players, skipper Jason Holder. Both these all-rounders provide contrast to each other and while Russell blasts off right from ball one, Holder plays an able foil to calmly hold the innings together.

Another strength is their strong opening pair followed by the explosive Shimron Hetmyer. Chris Gayle and Shai Hope have formed a really great opening pair and while Gayle is the aggressor, Hope has done remarkably well in building innings and his stats are simply unbelievable.

Weaknesses: The Windies do have their share of weaknesses and the most apparent one is the lack of a quality spinner. Ashley Nurse and Fabian Allen are simply not enough and efforts must have been made to recruit more experienced and effective players like Sunil Narine.

Also, the transcend of the form of few of their players from T20 to ODI format will be key and despite players like Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite's good T20 prowess, they might find it hard to cope up with the standards demanded by ODI cricket.

#7 Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan

Strengths: Bangladesh are no slouch and can pose a big threat in this edition of the World Cup.

Their biggest strengths will undoubtedly be the presence of experienced players like Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and the No.1 All-Rounder Shakib al Hasan in their top order. These 3 provide a lot of finesse and firepower to their top order and they can catapult to a big score.

Also, the presence of other all-rounders like Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan along with pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who gives a sharp edge to the Bangladesh side.

This team is not short of match-winners and can give a decent performance.

Weaknesses: The presence of weak pockets in the side are however are evident with no good player to open with Tamim or to partner Shakib al Hasan in the spin department.

Though they have a lot of experienced players, the youngsters in the playing XI are hardly effective and players like Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Liton Das, and Mohammad Mithun have to perform and they are the weak spots in the side.

#6 Pakistan

Babar Azam

Strengths: Contrary to their dismal form, Pakistan are a team filled with a lot of positives and strengths but they are facing a lean patch right now.

The form of Babar Azam has been a rare silver lining for the side and his well-crafted 112 against Afghanistan preceded by a line of big scores makes him the side's biggest strength.

Their strong opening pair is another one of their strengths as both Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have forged a really great bond. They have piled on the runs and if they get set, it's very easy for Pakistan to get a big score on board. They're also very lucky to have very experienced campaigners in Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik who are handy with their off-spin.

Their pace attack which is filled with variety is another strength for them and players like Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, and Hasan Ali are among the best in the world and if these players can get in sync, Pakistan can be a strong contender.

Weaknesses: Pakistan are on 10 ODI losses without including the most recent loss to Afghanistan in the warm-up game and if they fail to get a win in their next warm-up game, their low confidence itself will be a huge weakness for them heading into the campaign.

Another major issue in their side is the lack of contributions from the lower middle order. After Shoaib Malik, all the players including skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and all-rounder Imad Wasim haven't made too many contributions and this doesn't give the top order the security to bat free.

#5 Australia

Steve Smith and David Warner.

Strengths: Australia have got back into form at the right time and with their star duo of David Warner and Steve Smith returning, Australia are strong contenders to lift the World Cup.

Their strong batting line-up will be one of their strengths and they are really hungry for runs and can really thrash the oppositions on beautiful wickets in England. David Warner, Steve Smith, and Aaron Finch will be looking to get runs under their belt while the power of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will be important for them.

Weaknesses: Australia are caught in a bit of a selection conundrum of who is to open the batting with Usman Khawaja and David Warner with both set to adjust their batting positions for the other and if they do the wrong compromise, it might have an adverse effect on the performance on both of them.

Also, despite having a strong pace attack, Australia do miss Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson as Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson haven't looked like they are wicket-taking bowlers and Coulter-Nile has been inconsistent with his bowling. Hence, despite having 2 of the best pacers in Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Australia need to find who the 3rd seamer is and need him to play well.

#4 New Zealand

Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

Strengths: New Zealand are a very strong side and though they haven't been considered by many, but they are contenders for the title and their consistent side can deliver.

Their biggest strengths will be their brilliant No.3 and No.4 batsmen, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who have been imperative in the side's success over the last few years.

Also, their strong pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee combined with the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry makes their pace attack pretty deadly to deal with.

Weaknesses: New Zealand are a bit like Bangladesh in their weaknesses and despite having a pretty complete squad, there are a few spots in the team which they have to allot to players who haven't played well.

Colin Munro hasn't impressed as an opener and if he doesn't last long, New Zealand will be exposed up front. Tom Latham's injury means that Tom Blundell will take the field and his lack of experience playing in ODIs makes him a liability.

#3 South Africa

Hashim Amla and Faf Du Plessis

Strengths: South Africa have a pretty good squad for the World Cup and they are in good course to being contenders to lift the World Cup.

Their biggest strength will undoubtedly be their pace battery which is probably the best in the tournament. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Dale Steyn are all standout pacers and they have already given a sample of how deadly they can be with a great showing against Sri Lanka in the warm-up fixture.

The impressive form of skipper Faf Du Plessis and openers Quinton De Kock and Hashim Amla is another positive and they have had an attacking mindset and can help the side get to a huge total.

Weaknesses: South Africa don't have any apparent weakness and have got all bases covered. However, they do have to pick the right all-rounders for their matches because Dwayne Pretorius and Chris Morris haven't been at their best with the ball and though they have a great set of primary bowlers, the 5th and 6th bowler's selection might be an issue for the side.

#2 India

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Strengths: India are one of the top contenders for lifting the World Cup and under Virat Kohli, they have a really strong side.

Their top order is one of the best in the league and with Virat Kohli at No.3, their batting order looks very strong. Also, their openers are one of the most experienced and dangerous players in the league and with Shikhar Dhawan having a record of doing well in ICC tournaments, their top order is one of India's strengths.

Also, the presence of X-Factor players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah as well as the experience, power and the recent form of MS Dhoni is another positive for the Indian side.

Weaknesses: Figuring out where India lack isn't going to be too tough and it's about who the No.4 batsman will be for the Indian side. With Vijay Shankar having a tough time in the IPL, Kedar Jadhav too, and KL Rahul failing to make use of his opportunity, the No.4 spot is still hanging in the balance.

#1 England

Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy

Strengths: England are clearly the favorites to win the World Cup in front of their home fans.

Their home advantage gives them an early edge over their oppositions but their dazzling top order, especially their explosive opening pair is one of their biggest strengths in this tournament. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have forged a very strong opening combination which has coasted past opponents with ease.

England have sent many of their oppositions on a leather hunt and have belted scores which weren't seemingly possible at the start.

England also have great all-rounders who compliment their top order and the wicket-keeper Jos Buttler's batting efforts and leadership skills are huge positives as well.

Weaknesses: England, like South Africa, don't have any apparent weaknesses and their squad mostly has all bases covered. However, their pace bowling line-up lacks a leader or a spearhead to head the attack and though their young guns like Tom Curran and Jofra Archer have done a good job, they sometimes lack the experience to do the right job.