The 15-member probable squad for the World Cup of the top 5 ranked teams 

Even though ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is more than 2 months away, all the participating teams are in the final stages of getting the perfect team combination for the World Cup. The prestigious tournament will commence on 30th of May and will be played in a round robin format.

Ten teams will be seen battling it out for the ultimate glory this time. Following the normal protocol, the deadline to submit the final squads is more than a month before the actual tournament begins, which is 23rd April.

Apart from Pakistan and Australia, none of the participating teams are scheduled to play anymore ODIs before the deadline. Thus, even though the final squads are to be submitted after a month, most of the teams must have a 15-member squad in mind which will most likely represent their country.

Talking about the top contenders for winning the World Cup, all the teams look well balanced and it is pretty difficult to predict the winner. But based on current form and ICC rankings 5 teams look to be favorites to win the coveted trophy.

Here is the predicted 15-member squad of each of the top 5 ranked teams:

---

#5 Australia

The Australian team will be high on confidence after beating India in India

World No. 5, Australia is the defending champions at the 2019 World Cup. Even though the performance of team Australia has been dismal after the bans on Steve Smith and David Warner, the team seems to have gained the much-needed momentum after winning the ODI series against India in a stunning fashion.

Moreover, Smith and Warner are likely to be back for the World Cup which will strengthen the team's batting line-up. Mitchell Starc is also expected to be back for the World Cup. Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and Ashton Turner have been in the terrific form off late and thus, the experienced Shaun Marsh might miss out.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson might get the nod ahead of Jason Behrendorff for the place in the final 15.

Probable squad - Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson

#4 South Africa

Will South Africa be able to lift their 1st ever World Cup?

The 4th ranked team in the world, South Africa is in a peculiar position about it's World Cup squad. Ab de Villiers' retirement and JP Duminy's injury resulted in some forced changes in the middle order.

A lot of players have been tried in the middle order but with limited success. Howbeit, Rassie van der Dussen has had a sensational start to his ODI career and looks a clear favorite to start in the playing XI.

Hashim Amla has been in and out of the side but is expected to be in the World Cup squad for his sheer class and experience. Similarly, JP Duminy is back from injury and is set to be part of South Africa's World Cup plans.

Tabraiz Shamsi is set to join Imran Tahir in the spin department while the latest pace sensation, Anrich Nortje, is expected to make the cut.

Probable squad- Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, JP Duminy, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje

#3 New Zealand

New Zealand is not an underdog anymore

Last edition's finalists & World No. 3, New Zealand crushed Bangladesh in the recently concluded ODI series at home. The Kiwis have an experienced batting line-up with the likes of Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in the side.

Tim Southee and Trent Boult will lead the bowling attack with Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry fighting it out for the third seamer's place in the playing XI. Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi are the two spinners who will in all probability make the cut.

New Zealand selectors have the option of picking an extra spinner in Todd Astle but they might go with an extra wicket-keeping option in Tim Seifert who made an impressive debut in the T20Is against India.

Probable squad - Kane Williamson (C), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (WK), Tim Seifert, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry

#2 India

India has a lot of unanswered questions in terms of the combinations

World No. 2, India was stunned by Australia in it's last ODI series before the World Cup. The Indian team will surely be disappointed with the series loss but they will still go in the World Cup as one of the favorites.

Coming back to the Australia series, there were a couple of spots in the World Cup squad that was up for grabs. Hardik Pandya's injury gave Vijay Shankar and Ravindra Jadeja ample chances to book a berth for the World Cup.

However, a couple of players might pay heavy prices for their poor show against Australia. Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant might lose out to Dinesh Karthik for a spot in the middle order. KL Rahul is likely to be the team's third opener.

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

#1 England

England has the best chance to win their 1st ever 50-over World Cup

World No. 1, England's World Cup squad selection is all about Jofra Archer. The Barbados born cricketer is the talk of the town because of his ability to bowl with raw pace. He will also be eligible to play for England by the time World Cup begins.

Even though there have been voices of dissent in the England team about Archer's inclusion in the side, after seeing their pacers being whacked in West Indies, the selectors might name Jofra Archer in the World Cup-bound squad.

David Willey might be the unfortunate one to miss out. Chris Woakes is expected to lead the bowling attack with Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood potentially being the 2nd and 3rd seamer in the squad.

Tom Curran's ability to be effective in death overs might help him secure a berth in the World Cup squad.

Probable squad - Eoin Morgan (C), Jason Roy, Johnny Bairstow, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (WK), Ben Stokes, Joe Denly, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Tom Curran