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The much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is not far away and the preparations for the same have reached the peak. Teams are now focusing on finding their best possible combinations for the mega event.
The last World Cup was won by a dominant Australian unit led by Michael Clarke. The Kangaroos will look to defend their title this time around. The multi-national tournament will begin on 30th May 2019 with hosts England taking on South Africa in the opening game.
Each team has its own strengths and weaknesses but the performances of their key players make the ultimate impact on their fortunes in the tournament. The big five sides – England, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, and India – have their best bets aligned with certain marquee players. Their success largely revolves around these players.
Let's have a look at their best bets for the tournament.
#5 Pakistan
Batsman- Babar Azam
Often compared to Virat Kohli, Azam is a very good batsman who can rotate the strike regularly and keep the scoreboard ticking with his skillful batting.
He is excellent at building an innings and then accelerating towards the end. He is a good fielder who can cover large distances in a short span of time. The right-hander will be the key player in Pakistan's batting line-up in the massive tournament.
Even though some may argue that veteran Shoaib Malik should be the best bet for the mega event, Babar possesses a greater threat this time around.
Bowler- Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir, one of the fastest bowlers in the international circuit right now, is experiencing a slight dip in form at the moment. He is expected to come back strong, though.
Even though he cannot swing the ball as much anymore, the pace at which he bowls it, coupled with his experience, will threaten any batsman who comes up against him.
Amir is currently working on improving his swing and once he cracks that code, he will be as lethal as he was in the Champions Trophy final against India last year.
#4 Australia
Batsman – Aaron Finch
Finch is Australia's best batsman at the moment and their safest bet at the top of the order. The right-hander is a reliable and dangerous opener. He is a versatile player who can bat in the middle-order as well, thus giving the line-up a much-needed flexibility.
Finch has a safe pair of hands on the field as well.
There is a possibility of him taking up the limited overs captaincy for the defending champions. Finch has a calm personality and Australia won't mind him taking up the leadership mantle going into the tournament.
Bowler – Mitchell Starc
The most reliable bowler in the Australian team and the quickest going around, Starc is a proven match-winner. The left-arm pacer has the ability to generate reverse swing with the old ball and can swing the new ball in both directions.
Starc can prove to be a pinch hitter towards the end and is one of Australia's most important players for the upcoming World Cup.
#3 New Zealand
Batsman – Kane Williamson
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Williamson has been in a scintillating form off late and he happens to be the skipper of the Black Caps.
With the captain expected to lead from the front, the runners-up of World Cup 2015, will be keen on taking a step further in 2019. Williamson's run-scoring ability has improved significantly over the last few months and his consistency is awe-inspiring.
His captaincy will also a valuable skill asset for New Zealand in the tournament.
Bowler – Trent Boult
Trent Boult is one of best seam bowlers in the world at the moment. He is an excellent new-ball bowler, but also a death overs specialist.
He has Tim Southee by his side and is bound to get better by playing alongside him in the months leading up to the World Cup. Boult bowls at a speed in excess of 145 kmph and maintains consistent line and length.
It is safe to say that New Zealand's pace bowling is in reliable hands.
#2 England
Batsman – Joe Root
The prolific England run-scoring batsman is the fulcrum of their batting line-up. The right-hander's form will be the key to their success in the competition.
Root's return to form against India in the ODI series earlier this year is good news for England. He is good at keeping the scoreboard ticking and operates at a decent strike-rate.
England's red-ball skipper will be the key to their chances in the white-ball tournament. Moreover, with the home conditions suiting his style of play, Root is expected to come good in the tournament.
Bowler (all-rounder) – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is England's impact player. The all-rounder has the ability to become the 'Player of the Tournament' at the World Cup 2019 if he finds his form at the right time.
Stokes is a middle-order batsman who can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of few overs. Once he is set on the crease, the left-hander becomes unstoppable.
Stokes, the bowler, is nothing less. In case he fails with the bat, he delivers with the ball. He is a partnership breaker and the pace he bowls at is difficult to pick for the batsman. He is known to pick up key wickets at crucial stages of the game. Stokes adds a new dimension altogether to the England unit.
#1 India
Batsman – Virat Kohli
This is a no-brainer. The skipper of the Indian team has been leading from the front for a few years now and he has looked unstoppable with the willow.
His batting has reached new levels and his consistency across all formats of the game is enviable. Kohli has been the backbone of the Indian line-up for quite some time now and it can be said the batting unit relies on him heavily.
Bowler – Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
Bhuvaneshwar, without a doubt, is the best new ball bowler in world cricket right now. The man from Uttar Pradesh has the unique ability to swing the ball in both directions at a consistent pace.
He is one of the best death bowlers going around at the moment and can deliver toe crushing balls consistently and with surgical accuracy.
Kumar is one of India's best fielders and a reliable lower-order batsman. With the conditions suiting his style of play, he can prove to be a tough competition to Ben Stokes for the Player of the Tournament award in the 2019 World Cup.
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