ICC World Cup 2019 | Favourites England look settled from outside, believes Alastair Cook

England have made themselves a force to be reckoned with in the 50-over format of the game ever since the 2015 World Cup debacle, and on the back of an ODI formula, developed by Andrew Strauss, the team has won 30 of their 42 ODIs while losing only nine, making themselves the prime contender for the World Cup. Alastair Cook also believes that the team is very settled and has an outstanding chance of winning it.

"England have an outstanding chance," Cook, who retired last year from international cricket, told Sky Sports.

"This is the first time going into a World Cup England have such a settled squad. Everything looks great from the outside, they have every option covered."

While the team was the favourites to win the 2017 Champions Trophy as well, they lost the initiative by losing the semi-final to Pakistan. On being reminded of that, Cook replied that would act as a source of inspiration and lesson for the team to pick themselves up from the debris.

"They had that blip in the (2017) Champions Trophy, where they lost in the semi-final to Pakistan when they were favourites, but you need those lows to be able to grow as a side," he added.

"They are favourites. This is a great opportunity for Eoin (Morgan) and the guys to play some fantastic cricket.

"There are match winners throughout the squad, there are batsmen that can win games on their own, and over the last six or eight months the bowling has really come on. I think they are going to win it."