The Cricket World Cup gets underway in India this week with five teams chasing a first title win and five looking to repeat past success. Here we look at each team’s outlook for the Cricket World Cup and chances for the win.
Afghanistan – 125/1
Afghanistan has an experienced group of good players but are unlikely to mount a serious challenge for the last four.
However, in India, it will take some skill to navigate the bowling of both Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan.
Batting will be the biggest area of concern for Afghanistan, but young opening batter Ibrahim Zadran has shown a great deal of promise.
With the ultra-experienced Mohammad Nabi lending his all-around talents, Afghanistan will be a tough nut to crack but will find it tough to get the points on the board to make the semi-finals.
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
Verdict: Ninth
While they’re unlikely to mount a serious challenge they could very well claim a big scalp or two.
Welcome to India, Afghanistan 🇦🇫 🤩
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) September 26, 2023
Looking forward to exciting #CWC23 action 🙌
📸 @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/TtclGp3mv4
Australia – 9/2
You can never write Australia off at a World Cup, even if they had a disappointing end to their tour of South Africa and lost to India in their final series ahead of the Cricket World Cup.
David Warner is a dangerous prospect in any conditions, but he is also very familiar with batting in India.
They have opted to carry injured Travis Head into the tournament with the hopes he will be fit to influence the back end of the tournament.
That Head has been backed is an indictment of others’ form in the middle order where Australia have had quite a few issues.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
Verdict: Semi-finalists
They should be good enough to get through to the semi-finals, but may well come unstuck against and India or an England.
Australia have named their squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 28, 2023
Travis Head ✅
Marnus Labuschagne ✅
Ashton Agar ❌#CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/xx8wP3vZZK
Bangladesh – 110/1
Bangladesh have been better in ODI cricket in recent times, but much of that is down to improved home form on some questionable tracks.
The relationship between star player Shakib Al Hasan, who is also the skipper, and the board has been a difficult one, and this team is not well-placed for a semi-final push.
Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s pre-tournament form has been great news for Bangladesh.
They are likely to struggle against the top contenders but could pick up a few wins along the way.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Verdict: Eighth
They’re a potential banana peel for some of the big guns but lack the consistency to push for a place in the semis.
Introducing the men in Green and Red for the World Cup. 🇧🇩🏏#BCB | #Cricket | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/dVy9s4FijA
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 26, 2023
England – 7/2
One of the best white-ball teams in the world, the only question around England is the amount of time in the middle their players have enjoyed heading into the tournament.
England have struggled to find the best way to incorporate skipper Jos Buttler into their top order.
The England team’s fondness for left-arm quicks continues with Reece Topley, David Willey and Sam Curran all picked for the squad.
Spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali will have a big job on their hands with England having a pace-heavy attack.
England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
Verdict: Finalists
The issues around shoehorning Buttler into the top order aside, this is a fantastically balanced side who could very well go all the way.
Defending Champions England produce a thorough all-round performance in their #CWC23 warm-up clash against Bangladesh 👊
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 2, 2023
📝 #ENGvBAN: https://t.co/01lavLPagc pic.twitter.com/1SYJzzRYCs
India – 2/1
India expects that this team will find a way to lift the trophy and end their fans’ strong sense of frustration.
The hosts have arguably the strongest top order in the tournament, and it has also been full of runs of late.
Jasprit Bumrah’s return and incredible form has only boosted India’s hopes and the expectations of their fans.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have shown that they are ready to step up as the next generation of India match-winners.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
Verdict: Winners
The return of Bumrah is a massive boon for this absolutely stacked side. Couple this with partisan home support and they really should be able to go all the way.
As many as eight players from India's previous campaign are a part of the #CWC23 squad 🔁
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 28, 2023
Read more 👉 https://t.co/TxRFooYc52 pic.twitter.com/bDY4zi1sUG
Netherlands – 750/1
The Dutch may set out their stall to reach the last four, but you’d be hard-pressed to plot them a path to that outcome.
A strong finish to the qualifying tournament got the Dutch onto the big stage in a real shock.
However, with the spotlight on them, they will likely be exposed and blown away by the established powers.
In Bas De Leede, the Netherlands at least have a player around whom they can build a team with his all-round skills.
They’re one of the more multicultural sides in the tournament, with players born in Tonga, South Africa, New Zealand and India representing them.
Netherlands squad: Scott Edwards (c), Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht.
Prediction: Tenth
They’ll be targeting games against he likes of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; but even those look a bridge too far. A last-place finish is very much on the cards.
🚨 Netherlands World Cup Squad and their origins:
— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) September 30, 2023
S Edwards → Born 🇹🇴, Raised 🇦🇺
W Barresi → Born 🇿🇦
R van der Merwe → Born 🇿🇦
C Ackermann → Born 🇿🇦
R Klein → Born 🇿🇦
S Engelbrecht → Born 🇿🇦
M O'Dowd → Born 🇳🇿
L van Beek → Born 🇳🇿
V Singh → Born 🇮🇳
T Nidamanuru → Born… pic.twitter.com/Xz3VrA9O16
New Zealand – 10/1
The return to fitness of Trent Boult was big for New Zealand, but they are still sweating on Kane Williamson.
Mitchell Santner’s abilities as an all-rounder in the ODI format are underrated and he might prove a key player for the Black Caps.
Devon Conway and Finn Allen are the batters to watch for New Zealand in this tournament.
Daryl Mitchell is also capable of winning matches with the bat or the ball, and New Zealand’s big-moment players should get them to the last four.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
Verdict: Semi-finalists
With England, India and Australia likely to grab the first three semi-final spots I think New Zealand should just sneak into forth ahead of Pakistan and South Africa. That’s where their tournament is likely to end, though.
New Zealand trump South Africa by a narrow margin in the #CWC23 warm-ups after rain interrupts a thrilling clash 🌧
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 2, 2023
📝 #NZvSA: https://t.co/heKCOaXBJz pic.twitter.com/CjH0R89Avy
South Africa – 17/2
South Africa have been hit hard by injuries, which has spoiled their hopes of sending a well-settled group to the tournament.
There were runs for all the key batters in the recent series against Australia, though they really need to avoid collapses.
Marco Jansen has shown that he could be an all-rounder of the future if his batting continues to improve, but he will get plenty of chances at the World Cup.
Finishers David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen might just be the players with the biggest role to play.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Verdict: Sixth
Injuries to Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have knocked the Proteas ahead of this World Cup. The former will especially be missed. More World Cup pain awaits the Bavuma and co.
Proteas Already in action 🔥🔥🔥#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/VVldmQFANe
— ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 INDIA (@cwc23india) October 1, 2023
Sri Lanka – 28/1
Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana will be a player with a big job on his hands for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka have plenty of slow-bowling options but few have the skills that Theekshana can call on.
Charith Asalanka is the most dangerous batter among the Sri Lanka squad and showed this at the Asia Cup.
Dhananjaya de Silva is part of an experienced core of this team that also has a few promising youngsters waiting to break through.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha
Verdict: Seventh
The tournament’s big guns will be wary of the threat posed by the Islanders. Even with a pretty experienced core, however, they’ll battle to set this competition alight.
