India, England Hot Favourites, But Australia can Win the World Cup - Shane Warne

The World Cup fever is getting on everyone; be it the fans, commentators or even greats of the game. Meanwhile, Australia veteran and spin legend, Shane Warne has shed some light on who could win the 2019 World Cup.

Warne said both India and hosts, England would start as hot favourites, but didn’t rule out Australia in retaining the Cup as well. For that, Shane said if the selectors play their role to perfection, Australia could well lift the World Cup for the record sixth time. As Shane Warne is due to name his World Cup and Ashes squad, he penned down this tweet,

“As I’m putting my #worldcup squad together for my column, I really believe Aust can win it again. As we have the players for the conditions, match winners etc. I think England & India go in as hot favourites, but if the selectors play their part – then the Aussies can 100% win !”

As I’m putting my #worldcup squad together for my column, I really believe Aust can win it again. As we have the players for the conditions, match winners etc. I think England & India go in as hot favourites, but if the selectors play their part – then the Aussies can 100% win !

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 5, 2019

Will Australia start as favourites?

As Shane in his tweet had mentioned the Oz have players who are match winners and thus they can win the World Cup too. However, the ground reality is a bit different. Of late, at home only, Australia first lost to South Africa in the ODIs (1-2), before going down against Virat Kohli-led India with the same margin. Last year as well, when Tim Paine was Australia’s ODI captain; they suffered their most devastating beating at the hands of England. Playing at home, England blanked the Aussies (5-0).

What hurt the most was them conceding most runs in an innings in an ODI. During the Trent Bridge match, England batted first and scored a mammoth 481/6 with three of their bowlers giving more than 80 runs in their ten overs. Though the Men in Yellow won their first Test series in more than a year, who knows the tables could turn around for them leading in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the return of Steven Smith and David Warner could also bolster their chances in England and Wales. The 2019 World Cup will begin on May 30th with Australia taking on England and Sri Lanka in their warm-up fixture.