Published: Jun 04, 2019, 04:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 04, 2019, 04:12 PM (IST)
Australia spin great Shane Warne has tipped England to lift their maiden World Cup. Nine of the ten teams competing at this World Cup have already got their campaigns underway, with India – set to play South Africa on Wednesday – the only side yet to step onto the field.
England, West Indies, New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh all began their tournament openers with wins but hosts and favourites England were beaten by Pakistan on Monday. South Africa, meanwhile, are already facing an uphill battle to finish in the top-four after losing both of their opening two matches, to England and Bangladesh.
“England look like clear favourites and will be very hard to touch in this World Cup,” Warner said before England’s 14-run defeat against Pakistan on Monday.
“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].”
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Quizzed on who he believes will emerge as the stars of the World Cup, Warne said: “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].
“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.”
Meanwhile, England suffered a setback after they were beaten by Pakistan despite centuries from Buttler and Joe Root.
“We did a lot of hard work to rebuild and get ourselves in a position to win the game, so I was bitterly disappointed to get out. The most important thing now for us as a group is not to panic. We know what works for us as a formula, and as a team, but other sides are allowed to play well and we’ve got to make sure we learn quickly and bounce back,” Root said.
