A year ago, India was considered to be the hot favourites to win the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, but their inability to pool in a settled team and questionable team strategies since their 2019 semi-final exit have made the team in blue vulnerable. They have a good chance to still be one of the contenders and make it to the top 4.

This may be the last ICC Cricket ODI format world cup in its current form and there are bound to have some bold corrections in the ODI format by ICC post the tournament to make ODI Format popular.

This article will be on the likely teams other than the host who could be in a position to win the 2023 ICC World Cup Trophy

Presented by: Raghunath Nair

Date: 02/08/2023

Introduction

The 2019 edition was considered to be the most competitive and the finals saw the most tightly fought finals in cricket history. England was crowned the champion against New Zealand on the controversial boundary countback rule after the super over in the finals ended up in a tie. The win was controversial but within the rules of the tournament.

The boundary countback rule, since then has been scrapped. If in a knockout game, teams end up in a tie after the Super over, teams will continue to play super overs until a winner is found.

Will the 2023 edition match the edge-of-seat experience we witnessed in the last World Cup, only time will tell.

Who are the serious Contenders?

Australia

If there is a team who has dominated cricket consistently over the past 3 decades, it has to be Australia. Australia will be a likely Semi-Finalist and history is proof that once Australia are in a must-win situation, they not only win the game, they dominate their opponent with some heavy performances.

Australia is the most successful team in World Cup history, with five wins so far, so Australia will again have to start as one of the main contenders. In the 2019 tournament, the team reached the semi-final stage, before losing to eventual winners England. It is expected that Australia will continue to dominate the 2023 competition.

Australia does not carry the baggage of their past laurels or indulge in never-ending discussions on how many world cups they won. They play each tournament as it comes wanting to win it. They are unfazed in dropping big names to select the best playing eleven hence, always a dangerous team, especially at an ICC event.

The Australian team will be captained by Pat Cummins and Steve Smith will be his deputy in this 2023 World Cup campaign.

Strengths: Allrounders & Bench Strength – Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, M. Marsh

Weakness: They struggle in subcontinental Conditions.

Australia will play against the host in their opener and a win in the first match will strengthen their belief of lifting the second ICC trophy for the year after their recent WTC win.

Pakistan

Pakistan has one of the best possible chances to win the 2023 world cup than any other team. They are currently the second-ranked team in the ICC ODI Ranking and have been silently winning all their limited over fixtures with some authority.

Pakistan Team also did very well in the 2011 edition in Indian conditions but got stopped by the eventual winners in the Semi-Finals.

In the recent past, Pakistan has turned their focus on limited overs format which has allowed them to create a pool of fast bowlers all touching 140+ km/hr speed who can dominate any limited format game.

Pakistan traditionally has played spin well and also boasts a team of allrounders who are more than useful part-time bowlers

The return of Shaheen Shah Afridi has made the team look ominous.

The biggest criticism of Pakistan will be their consistency or the lack of it. They can beat Australia one day and get beaten by a lower-ranked team in the next game.

Pakistan’s batting lineup is deep and their variety in bowling attack is the best in the business.

Playing in India and winning the World Cup in India will be an added incentive for the Pakistani Boys to do well considering the political baggage both countries carry against each other

England

The defending champions will once again enter the competition as one of the favourites because of their aggressive mode of playing the game.

 England Need Ben Stokes to come out of Retirement. Ben Stokes played a major role in helping England lift the 2019 ODI World Cup. He has been the most consistent batsman in the England team for a long time and his 3-5 overs could be an added advantage for the team.

The England team will be captained by Jos Butler and their head coach will be Mathew Mott

England has a Limited overs tour of Bangladesh. The pitches and conditions may be ideal preparation for the defending champions just before the World Cup.

Jofra Archer is back after a 22-month injury layoff and beginning to get his rhythm back.

Joe Root and Jos Buttler are excellent Indian subcontinent condition.

Strengths:  Ultra Aggressive Batting lineup

Weakness: Current form is poor.

New Zealand

A team never to be written off, the New Zealand team has been the most consistent team when it comes to playing in major ICC tournaments. They have great depth in their batting and bowling and are a consistent side playing within their limitations. They beat India to reach the finals of the 2019 World Cup and are always a side knocking on the doors of most ICC Finals. Kane Williamson leadership is simple and uncomplicated. Gary Stead is the Head coach of New Zealand.

New Zealand have a pool of new young fast bowlers and no longer need to rely on medium pace. New Zealand players do well in IPL as they easily adapt to Indian conditions. Their talented batting lineup will Challenge any chase.

Strengths:  Kane Williamson, Good Players of spin.

Weakness: Lack of Spinners

India

Though India will not be the favourites, once they are in the top 4, they only have to play the conditions from thereon which will be favourable to them.

India will rely on the return of their 3 main players, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Jaspreet Bumrah. They become a formidable side if they can accommodate 3 spinners in spin-friendly conditions. They should play their best eleven in all matches and not overreact and make hasty changes seeing the pitch as they did by dropping Ashwin in the WTC Finals.

The form of the three players coming back from injury layoff will be crucial as they have hardly had any match practice during this period.

The fitness of Hardik Pandya will be crucial as he gives option as a 4^th seamer who can chip in with useful 5-6 overs at the top.

India’s inability to take crucial wickets in the powerplay and restrict opposition in the last 10 overs has been their Achilles heel since 2019. They also lack in power hitting in the final 10 while batting which may need to be addressed. Opening Match against Australia will be crucial and will give the direction where the host nation is headed.

Strength: Spinners

Weakness: Playing against Spinners, Playing under pressure.

Conclusion

Considering the World Cup is played in India, teams have to be able to adapt to varied playing conditions. From turning tracks in Chennai to batting-friendly Narendra Modi Stadium to seam-friendly Dharmashala, every team will have their skills tested.

Australia will be firm favorites to win the competition and will be a handful in any condition dished up to them

Pakistan will be the surprise team of the tournament if they can play to their potential and has an edge over others due to their overall quality of players. If they can avoid Australia in the Semi-Finals, they might be a serious contender for the Cup.

While we cannot dismiss Team India’s chances, they too will be a serious contender provided they play a settled playing eleven in all matches like they did in 2011.

A big factor to consider for all teams will the possibility of dew which can play a huge role in the outcome of the game. Teams will prefer to bat first, but if there is dew, chasing will be the preferred option by all teams.

There will be more than one or two major upsets on the cards which will make the tournament all the more interesting to watch.

What are the must-watch Group stage games in the ICC Cricket World Cup

• India Vs Australia
• India Vs Pakistan
• England Vs Australia

What are the win% for each Team

• Australia – 70%
• Pakistan – 65%
• England – 55%
• India – 55%
• New Zealand – 50%

Batsmen to look out for

• Babar Azam
• Harry Brookes
• Jos Butler
• Steve Smith
• Mitchel Marsh

Pace Bowlers to look out for

• Shaheen Afridi
• Trent Boult
• Mitchel Starc

Spinners to look out for

• Rashid Khan
• Shakib Al Hasan
• Ravichandran Ashwin

Super Sport Prediction: Australia has a 70 % chance of lifting the cup.

Mitchel Marsh to be the Man of The Series, Shaheen Afridi to be the highest wicket taker.

Live Streaming:  Disney+ Hotstar will stream the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and will be free-to-view to all mobile phone users accessing its platform. Star is the official Broadcaster.