Shane Warne Reveals His World Cup Semifinalists, Four Stars Of The Tournament

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne has revealed his picks as the semifinalists of this year’s World Cup. The legendary spinner has backed England, Australia, India and West Indies to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup. Nine of the ten competing teams have already started their campaigns while India will start on Wednesday.

Warne’s picks have started their campaigns with thumping wins. Hosts England thrashed South Africa by 104 runs in the tournament-opener. Asked to bat first, England piled up 311 for 8 before bowling out South Africa for 207. England, however, suffered a shocking 14-loss at the hands of Pakistan in their second game.

ALSO READ:Dale Steyn Gets Emotional Message From His Father After World Cup Heartbreak

Australia, on the other hand, bowled out Afghanistan for 207 and chased it down inside 35 overs by losing only three wickets. West Indies did even better as they bowled out Pakistan for just 105 and went on to win the game by seven wickets. India will now eye a similar start when they take on South Africa in their tournament-opener on Wednesday in Southampton.

“England look like clear favourites and will be very hard to touch in this World Cup. ‘India and Australia are the only two teams that come close to them on a regular basis really. West Indies will sneak in. It will be England, India, Australia and West Indies [in the semi-finals],” Warne said.

ALSO READ: ICC World Cup 2019: Lasith Malinga Breaks Into the Top Ten Bowlers With Most Wickets in ODIs

The World Cup-winner also spoke on who can be the stars of this World Cup. Warne backed his compatriot David Warner to make a mark and said that the opener would bag the Man of the Tournament award.

“I have tipped David Warner to be the Player of the Tournament. He’s got so much to prove and he looked good the other day [in Australia’s win over Afghanistan],” said Warner.

He further picked Pat Cummins, Jos Buttler and Andre Russell to impress in the World Cup.

“Pat Cummins has taken his game to another level and Jos Buttler, who doesn’t love watching him play? And you can’t forget about Andre Russell,” said Warne.

ALSO READ: Watch: Mohammad Shahzad Slaps His Captain Gulbadin Naib While Dancing