Teams likely to qualify for World Cup 2019 semifinals

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is the 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by England and Wales, from 30th May to 14th July 2019. Virat Kohli-led Indian side once again go into the tournament as one of the favourites to clinch the prestigious ICC tournament. India will play their nine group matches in six different venues after starting their campaign against South Africa.

ICC ranking of a team is a parameter of a team's performance in the recent past. As per the current ICC rankings, England is on the top of the ODI rankings.

Every team has already started their mission of achieving the World Cup, but have their own set of problems to address. Australia go into the tournament as the defending champions as they won the 2015 World Cup. In the last World cup, the other teams to have qualified for the semis along with Australia were India, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Here are the four teams who might qualify for the semifinals of the next World Cup.

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#4 New Zealand

Led by Kane Williamson, New Zealand are currently one of the best sides in World cricket. The Black Caps narrowly missed out on winning the 2015 World Cup, losing to Australia in the final.

Since the retirements of Brendon Mccullum and Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson has led his side from the front. Their last ODI series didn't go well as they lost the series with a 3-2 margin against England. If New Zealand have to win the 2019 World Cup, it would be an uphill task for the young side.

Their main strength lies in the pace attack which includes the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. New Zealand might well qualify for the semifinals, but their progress to next phase is a doubt as they lack a good batsman in the middle, an area they need to address before the next World Cup.

New Zealand's key players:

Batsmen: Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor.

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Tim Southee.

#2 England

The English team stands at the top of the ICC ODI rankings and are on course for winning England's first ever ICC World Cup next year. Their main strength lies in their power-packed batting, which includes the likes of Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, and Alex Hales. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, they failed to reach the final, falling in the semis.

They have an extra advantage as they play in home conditions. Eoin Morgan has been impressive in the limited overs format with his impressive captaincy. England's last two ODI series provide a sample on the capability of the English squad.

They even beat Australia with a 5-0 margin, reaching the No.1 spot in ODIs. Their weakness lies in the middle order and their bowling which is not up to the mark. With plenty of match-winners in the squad, England might win the 2019 World cup.

England's key players:

Batsmen: Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan.

Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

#2 South Africa

Led by Du Plessis, South Africa look solid on paper and will once again go as one of the favourites to win the world cup. The heavyweights are at the No.3 spot in the One-dayers. Their last series against India didn't go well as the hosts lost the ODI series with a humiliating 5-1 margin. With the retirement of AB de Villiers, South Africa might find it difficult in the limited overs format.

Proteas strength lies in the pace attack which includes the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Amla and De Kock at the top, Du Plessis at No.3 seem devastating. However, their middle order needs fixing. Miller and Duminy were given enough chances but weren't consistent enough. South Africa need to sort out their middle order if they have to win their first ever World Cup.

South Africa's key players:

Batsmen: Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, Quinton De Kock.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

#1 India

As per the current form, India are one of the strongest sides going into the World Cup with almost all bases covered. Led by Virat Kohli, India stand at No.2 in the One-dayers. They narrowly missed the chance of winning their fifth ICC tournament in 2017 as they fell to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final.

Their last ODI series against England didn't go well as the visitors lost the series with a margin of 2-1. India's strength lie in their wrist spin which has tremendously done well in the recent past.

There are enough back-ups for every department. India's only major problem is the middle order which misfired in the series against England. They need to sort out this problem before the next World cup.

India's Key players:

Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.