"Cricket to us was more than play, It was a worship in the summer sun.”
― Edmund Blunden

This worship world cup is going to start in late spring leading to summer (30 May–14 July) next year (2019), if global warming does not hit harder and takes it from scorch to monsoon. 

Buckle up for the mighty Image Source

The great mother of cricket "England" would be the host with its beautiful grounds for smooth running of the game. With a considerable fall of interest for cricket in England, this world cup would come as a fresh pond of water in the drying desert. For others, its a pump-up of the passion bringing a perfect package and challenge. So, lets have an overview of the tournament, key teams, expectations, strengths and weaknesses.

Trophy:

Fight for the glory begins soon (Image Source)

Trending from 1999, the style of the legendary trophy was fixed with the golden globe representing cricket ball held up high with three silver pillars attributed to the three main variables of the game "batting, bowling and fielding". The 60 cm high, weighing 11 Kgs masterpiece has a room for engraving the team names of 20 winners of the world cup with this tournament being the 12th edition.

Qualifying Teams:

With 12 full member and 93 associate member countries of the International cricket council (ICC), only 10 qualify for the marvelous championships. For the upcoming ICC world cup 2019, we have the following list of countries with a brief stats, strengths, weaknesses and key players:

  1. England (Host)

From the England team's Facebook page

Unfortunately, despite being the pioneer of the massively adopted game, England failed to bring home a single world cup trophy, only closely landing at the Runner-up position for three times (1979, 1987 and 1992). This being their 4th time to host the world cup, the question remains if they would be able to add this 11 Kgs badge to their outfit.

Strengths: Unarguably, the current English team is putting-up high numbers on their batting side recently. With Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Joe root's heavy front line and aggressive batting style they can easily put a high total on the board. All-rounder Ben stokes is a gem for the team. With the recent clean sweep over India in the test matches, the ambitions are high and hope they would maintain it till the tournament.

Weaknesses: One of the most important corner for improvement is the slip catches and fielding. 

  2. Australia (defending champions)

Champions of the 2015 world cup (Image Source)

Being a defending champion means something, at least that majority of the team and their fans would be looking up towards them as the main threat and target. With a powerful hammer of the Australian team since decades, the nation could hold the cup for 5 times (Yes, amazingly five times, 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015). Seeing another cup? I doubt that according to the information below:

Strengths: Currently, it is getting a little hard to find out their key impressions in the upcoming game, as the team is having its low-time. But, we can say that with Mitchell Starc (left-arm fast swing bolwer), Josh Hazlewood (pace bowler) and Pat Cummins (also a fast bowler) australian team is going to scare some batsmen off and can avoid a heavy total, especially with the swing pace supporting pitches.

Weaknesses: Since, the recent ball-tempering issue happened with the team while their visit in South Africa, the main players have been banned. Ironically, that includes the captain (Steve Smith) and the vice captain (David Warner), well trouble on the batting side.

  3. India (Hot Favorite)

Catch us if you can Image Source

Let not their recent loss in England-India test series fool you. This team is lethal for one day internationals (ODIs). With 2 world cups in their pocket and 1 ending up as runner-ups, this team is capable of bringing you all the excitement and emotions you could hope for. 

Strengths: Batting (for sure). The wooden hammer of Kohli can chop-off the bowling stats of the opponents. They still got the wall (Dhoni) who is very strong at nerves even though Kohli is the captain now but, he has got Dhoni's back. Rohit Sharma is another key batsman with K. L. Rahul constantly adding up to the score. 

Weaknesses: Unfortunately, for a long time the team is suffering from poor bowling attack. They put-up a high score and end-up defending it desperately. Especially, death bowling (After 40 overs) is a corner when you can tilt over the thrown.

  4. Pakistan (The unpredictable green)

From the last champions trophy (Image Source)

"Unpredictable" is the only fit tag for this team. With their recently gained high confidence by winning the cup from the last champion's trophy (mini world cup), the team is aiming to convert it to the larger sized cup now. Previously, winning the only WC in 1992 under the captaincy of Imran khan (now the prime minister of Pakistan), the nation also stood runner-up once and have amazed the opponents at other occasions. 

Strengths: Fast bowling. For a long time the land is harvesting a large number of pace bowlers with a variety and class, with many a times the fastest bowlers of the world coming from Pakistan. The unpredictability part is actually implied on the batting side. Usually, they would disappoint with a poor total but, then comes a wave of "Wow" and you would find them throwing the ball out of grounds. Better watch for Mohammad Amir's, who has returned with a fast and disciplined bowling that it could pass by the batsman finding the stumps easily.

Weaknesses: Very often we see their batting failure at foreign grounds. But, Sarfraz (captain) is a solid nerves with a great hand behind the bat, and Fakhar zaman the new rising scorer can improve the batting side.

  5. South Africa (Chokers)

I would tell you where the tag came from (Image Source)

For numerous times, the team from this continent has found its way to the final rounds due to their stunning and massive performances. But, majority of the times ending up losing in the semi/quarter-finals bringing them the famous tag "Chokers". The team has been desperately trying to put this off however, they have been unsuccessful in doing so till now. Lets see if they can now.

Strengths: Fielding.. I bet you forgot about the third silver pillar of the trophy by now. That was fielding. With legendary leaps of Jonty Rhodes to the current squad, this team can pressurize the batsmen with all they got, suffocating them to make mistakes and almost always punishing them for it. In addition, they have balanced batting and bowling squad, which can possibly bring you either a huge total to chase or a hard bowling to place a run on. Hashim Amla holding the bat, Faf du Plessis (captain) and Kagiso Rabada at the bowling end can literally choke you. 

Weaknesses: Mental preparations in the knock-out and final stages. The curse of their life has not been lifted yet. 

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That is all for now, i would try to give the overview of the other teams of the tournament in the coming posts. Also, would love to hear your thoughts about the teams and their expected performances. 

Which one of them is your crunch topping?