ICC World Cup 2019 | England are favourites going into the World Cup, predicts Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath has picked England as the most likely to win the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, followed by India and Australia. He has stated that the two favourites had been in great form and would be the toughest to beat but he was also impressed by Australia's recent performances.
A three-time World Cup winner and a runner up in his other appearance, Glenn McGrath's World Cup record is simply as good as it gets. Not only is he the tournament's all-time highest wicket-taker, he has 4 more records to his name, the most by a bowler. So when he predicts something, it is worth noting.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, he was asked about who he thought had the highest chance of lifting the trophy come July. Surprisingly, it's his former nemeses that he named.
"England, a very good one-day unit. To me, they are the favourites going into this World Cup, so I think they'll do very well," he remarked.
An all-time great, his fierce performances in the Ashes through the years is what he has been remembered most vividly for to this day apart from the World Cup performances. He was a part of a team that completely dominated their long-time rivals, with him having taken 157 wickets at an average of 21 throughout his career in the Ashes, which make up for nearly 28% of his total wickets. Hence, the next obvious question was, had he ever named England the favourites for anything else ever in his life.
"Probably! I can't remain biased my whole life," he chuckled.
"You've got to go on current form. The England team - the way they go about it, they have impressed me. They have scored some big, big totals. Most teams used to go hard in the first 15 and the last 15, and consolidate in the middle. But teams like England, India are just going hard the whole 50 overs, and that's the impact T20 cricket has had. So yeah, I don't think I've ever said 'England are the team to beat' or the 'favourites'," he added.
However, he did not leave out Australia from the race, naming them as well as India to be strong contenders. India's record under Virat Kohli had been impressive, to say the least, while a new-look Australia had managed to surprise everyone with consistent performances.
"The two standouts to me were India and England, with fingers crossed, Australia doing well. South Africa are always a good team, West Indies are bit of a dark horse - they can play really well or badly, probably similar to Pakistan. So it's going to be an interesting World Cup. England and India are tough to beat, but with Australia's form, I think we'll see them make the final," McGrath stated.
In a warm-up match between the host nation and the Kangaroos, Australia managed to cap off a closely-fought battle in an intense victory, with returning star batsman Steve Smith scoring a ton and was duly adjudged the player of the match.
"I was a little bit concerned about how Australia were going to go, but their form of late has really impressed me. They've performed really well in conditions that are not suited to them, so that bodes well for their chances. I'd like to think that they'll make the finals. India are a quality one-day unit as well. They'll be in the running," he concluded.
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