Potential Semi-finalists of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup

The next edition of the much awaited ICC Cricket World Cup begins next year. The top 10 nations of the world of cricket would be battling out in England, with each having their ambition set at lifting the silverware on 14th of July, 2019 at Lords-The Mecca of Cricket. With each team of the ten teams trying out all permutations and combination to create the best possible squads, this edition of the World Cup is promising to be a closely fought tournament.

However, there are a few teams with their noses a bit ahead of the rest before the tournament even starts. Let's look at four such teams that look solid enough on paper and on skill to make it to the top 4 at the World Cup.

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#4 Australia

The defending champions are definitely not the most fancied to be defending their title in 2019. They have been below average in all recent one day cricket they have played since lifting the world cup in 2015. The last time they played a major ICC tournament in England, they couldn't make it through the group stages.

However, with both they're leading batsmen in Steve Smith and David Warner returning from their bans in time before the next edition of the World Cup, Australia, if they are able to regroup would believe themselves to still be a strong unit. Even though considering their current performances in white ball cricket it might be looking a dream too far, However, having been crowned the world champions the maximum number of times, Australia would still be believing in their abilities and backing themselves to at least reach the semi-finals of the world cup in 2019. When we talk about the Australian Cricket Team one thing is certain, they won't go down without a fight.

#3 Pakistan

If there is one team that you can never write off, it has to be Pakistan. They have always been predictable with their unpredictability. With all eyes being on other powerhouse teams, Pakistan would prefer being the underdogs, as that is what often brings the best out of the men in green. The Pakistanis are at their brutal best when they are completely discarded. They would be strongly inspired after lifting the champions trophy in England in 2017 and would believe they could do it once more come 2019.

By possessing arguably the best resources in terms of fast bowling, which is the perfect recipe for success in English condition, all they would hope for is for they're batting lineup to consistently put up a decent score on the board.

Pakistan, in all probability, should sneak their way into the top 4.

But again, with Pakistan... You never really know.

#2 India

With the form, the current Indian One-Day team is in and the strength they have in their squad the men in blue are one of the favorites to go all the way and lift the World Cup at Lord's. India would believe that anything less than a top 2 finish would be a major disappointment for the Virat Kohli led side. This Indian side possesses a great balance in their lineup.

The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan have more or less always been amongst runs whenever they have played white ball cricket in England. In Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, they have two of the best death bowlers. Add the experience of MS Dhoni and the flamboyance of players such as Hardik Panda and KL Rahul, the Virat Kohli-led side would definitely be the team to beat at the World Cup.

In all likelihood, India should seal a spot in the final four at the World Cup.

#1 England

England, for the first time ever, would be entering an ICC tournament as hot favorites to win their maiden 50 over World Cup. After a miserable tournament in 2015, they had received a lot of flak and were termed as being unsuitable for the shorter format of the game.

However, this English side has managed to turn a new leaf and now is one of the most destructive sides in the world in white ball cricket. The team consists of some of the most stylish and swashbuckling white ball cricketers in the world. Having talented batsmen like Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root and a match-winning all-rounder in Ben Stokes as a part of their squad, England would come out all guns blazing.

Also, With the world cup being held in favorable conditions, England should back themselves to create history this time around. They are definitely bookmakers favorite to make the semifinals.