Top 5 favourites to win ICC World Cup 2019

The World Cup is less than a year away as Australia look to defend their crown. The format has changed as only 10 teams will battle it out this time with each team playing each other once.

Following this, the semifinals will take place with the top four teams going through. Teams have started preparations for the biggest event in cricket already and anticipation is high. Let's look at the top five teams who have the best chance at lifting cricket's biggest prize.

#5 Australia

Who would have ever imagined Australia to be as low as fifth in any sort of rankings? Yet, here we are. The sandpaper scandal shook Australian cricket to its core and led to them losing two of their best batsman for a year. However, Steve Smith and David Warner will be back for the World Cup. They aren't in the best of form and the last time they went to England to play one day cricket, they were comprehensive blanked 5-0 by England who seem unbeatable at home.

The Champions Trophy wasn't the best for them as well and they seem very unlikely to retain their crown. So why have I put them on this list? They will be hungry and willing to prove everyone wrong. That's how the Australian mentality works. Smith and Warner will be looking for redemption and nothing will be more of a fairytale comeback than to win the biggest prize again.

Australia need to sort out their middle order and make sure their bowlers are fit and ready if they are to have a chance. They face a tricky Afghanistan to open the World Cup who are capable of shocking any team in World Cricket. Believe it or not, this game will mean a lot for Australia's World Cup. A comprehensive win will ease the nerves but a shock loss could completely derail their World Cup.

In the current format, Australia will have to beat West Indies as well before they take on India at the Oval. If Australian bowlers get into their flow, they could take this tournament by the scruff of their neck like they did in 2015. In cricket, it's wise never to rule out the Aussies which is why despite their numerous problems, they stand at number 5.

#4 Pakistan

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final

Pakistan stand at number four because, after the Champions Trophy, it'd be ludicrous not to put them on this list. Do I think Pakistan are a good one day side? No. Do I think there's a chance they can still somehow become world class in this tournament? Yes. Because that's how unpredictable Pakistan cricket is. Their bowlers are no doubt their biggest strength if they can adapt to the swinging conditions, they can make a big impact. Shaheen Shah Afridi looks like a top talent. The fixture list hasn't been kind to Pakistan as they start by taking on hosts England followed by Sri Lanka, Australia and India.

These are all tough games barring Sri Lanka maybe and it will be important for them not to lose confidence even if they start badly. If their performance in the Asia Cup is anything to go by, I would say they have no chance. However, Pakistan have had good results in England, obviously winning the Champions trophy there. Since then, they haven't played any top quality opposition barring India who promptly demolished them. There are many questions to be asked of this team and I feel their World Cup could swing either way. it would be dumb to rule them out in these conditions which is why they stand at number four.

3. South Africa -

Australia v South Africa: Game 1

South Africa are going through some hard times at the moment and the loss of AB de Villiers will still be hurting but at the end of the day, they have a promising bowling attack which could excel in English conditions. The trio of Rabada, Steyn, and Ngidi can go through most batting attacks in the world. At the top of the order, they look good too but despite all of this, South Africa are the perennial chokers in world cricket.

Can they remove their choker tag is the question? Many thought they were heavy favourites going into the last World Cup but that didn't end well either as they threw away an easy game. The champions trophy didn't go too well for them as they were somewhat unlucky losing to Pakistan before India comprehensively beat them to send them crashing out.

They will be determined to change this tag of theirs. In Markram, Amla, du Plessis, de Kock, and Klaasen, they have a great force at the top. However, recent results haven't been too good. They were thumped by India at home before beating Sri Lanka narrowly and Zimbabwe at home, both of whom aren't top opposition.

They have upcoming series against Pakistan and Australia to warm up which should tell us more about this team. Their bowling attack is why they are high on this list and why I think they have the ability to win. They play the opener against England in a high profile game followed by Bangladesh and India. I think they will come into their own as the tournament progresses and will make the semi-finals and who knows possibly go all the way.

2. India -

Pakistan v India - 2011 ICC World Cup Semi-Final

India are the team to beat. Hope and expectation is high once again. Last World Cup, nobody expected much of the Indian team yet the semifinals were a pleasant surprise. The loss in the Champions Trophy is still fresh in the minds of Indian cricket fans and the perfect way to forget that would be to lift the most prestigious trophy for the third time. To say, India are doing well in ODI cricket is an understatement, they've been outstanding. Beating South Africa 5-1 away was a statement, and they then narrowly lost to England in England. The Asia Cup was a major success but the conditions are completely different compared to England. They are the current number one team with the number one batsman.

Virat Kohli in any team makes that team a contender, add to that Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and a good bowling attack and the team becomes a force. Dhawan loves tournament cricket and has been phenomenal int he last two Champions Trophy's that have been played there and will be looking to add more runs. The major concern for the Indian team is the middle order. Should the top 3 fail, India cannot depend on their middle order. Questions have also been raised over the performance of MS Dhoni who is ready for one last swan song.

Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya have to be groomed for their roles in the middle order in order for India to find a balance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be India's most important bowler in these conditions where the swing will play a role. India have to be ready from the start as they start their campaign against South Africa followed by games against New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan, all tough games. This is India's big chance to reclaim the trophy and Virat Kohli's big chance to stamp his name on a tournament like Sachin did in 2003. He will be hoping he goes one step further than Sachin did in 2003 and bring smiles on the faces of 1.4 billion Indians.

#1 England

Sri Lanka v England - 5th One Day International

The country that invented cricket is yet to have a World Cup to its name. They will have a chance to change that at the home of cricket in 2019. England are a one day force at home. one will have to go all the way back to January 2017 in India when England last lost a one Day series. They were stunned by Pakistan in the Champions Trophy again at home in the semifinals when many thought they would be favourites.

They go into this tournament as favourites playing at home. The balance of this team is its strength. An explosive batting lineup paired with a promising bowling attack makes this team dangerous. Beating India at home in a 3 match series is what made me think that England has the ability to go far in this World Cup. The crushing loss inflicted on them by Sri Lanka brought some doubts in my head but that could be a one-off.

They'll have to be at their best from the start as they take on South Africa in the opener followed by Pakistan. I'm not a fan of their bowling attack but they seem to surprise me all the time. England have the best batting going into the World Cup, even better than India's because of the balance in the middle order.

The likes of Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root lend stability. England bat deep which aids their cause. Their bowlers understand English surfaces which allows them to perform better and all in all England have it all to go all the way. This is their best chance in years to win the prized cup. England fans will be hoping that on 14 July 2019, Eoin Morgan will be hoisting the World Cup in front of all the English fans at the home of cricket.