The 2019 Cricket World Cup had its share of controversy, not least due to the somewhat unpopular decision to reduce the amount of participating teams to only ten, making the competition even much less diverse.
The move was seen negatively, as it reduced the possibilities of the smaller teams from ICC associate member countries to participate in the greatest cricket event of the world, making the World Cup an event mostly for the permanent member countries’ teams.
Be it how it may, the analysts had their favourites, and the pundits did not give much chance even to most of the permanent ICC members. In fact, it seems that the 2019 World Cup was competed for among three clear favourites – England, India, and Australia.
Who Were the Favourites?
The 2019 World Cup was finally won by England, for the first time in its cricket playing history. England was among the winner favourites due to its impressive team with some very exciting talent. England participated with a group of top batters, and the expectations for the team were extremely high. Luckily for them, the English side did not disappoint.
India, on the other hand, was a favourite due to a well-balanced team that was able to cover all the corners with predictable and stable quality. The team also sported some big cricket stars, including the captain Viral Kohli. The Indian team is generally known for its strong batters, and it had a particular talent for 2019 – though the team disappointed its fans and was eliminated in the semi-finals.
There was also significant buzz for the Australian team, and it was even expected to win the title. Australia has an incredible record in the ICC World Cup, having won the title more often than any other team. Australia participated with some of the most legendary cricket stars in its history. Surprisingly, the team only made it to semi-finals.