The World Cup is in full swing with a jam-packed programme running through the week of Monday 3 June until Sunday 9 June 2019.
The picks of the nine matches bookend the week with England facing Pakistan on Monday, while India clash with Australia on Sunday. India also kick off their campaign in midweek. They are the last team to play their first match, having been allowed a small scheduling concession due to the Indian Premier League.
India play a Proteas team who have made an abominable start to their World Cup campaign.
Monday 3 June
Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11:30)
England
Tie
Pakistan
In a rematch of last month’s encounter between the two sides in a bilateral series, England and Pakistan are back in Nottingham – and the neutrals will be hoping for a game that is as good, if not better.
Pakistan went down at Trent Bridge on 17 May – a result that allowed England to clinch a series they went on to win four-nil. But Sarfraz Ahmed’s men ran England close. Ultimately Junaid Khan’s wayward bowling cost Pakistan victory on that day – and his place in the World Cup squad.
That match proved integral for England’s Ben Stokes, who played himself into the form that saw him carry the home side’s effort in an emphatic opening day win over South Africa.
There are serious concerns about Pakistan’s ability against the short ball – and they will have to cope with the heavy bouncers of England’s new star Jofra Archer.
Verdict
England are clear favourites.
Tuesday 4 June
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (11:30)
Afghanistan 21/20
Tie 40/1
Sri Lanka 82/100
Both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka made disappointing starts to the tournament, even with expectations quite low. The Asian sides have struggled against the quicker stuff on fast English pitches, but this game should be fairly balanced.
Afghanistan have earned a few high-profile wins over Sri Lanka, including one in tournament play during the 2018 Asia Cup.
Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will be hoping for more support from the rest of the top-order, after their timid capitulation against New Zealand.
Verdict
Afghanistan to shade this one.
Wednesday 5 June
Rose Bowl, Southampton (11:30)
South Africa 7/4
Tie 40/1
India 47/100
The Proteas desperately need to find a response after an abject display against Bangladesh in their second match saw them slip to successive defeats.
There were no real positives to take from that game for South Africa, whose bowling was as wayward as their batting was brittle. South Africa are clearly not title contenders – and will have to play very well to make it into the semi-finals.
India are perhaps the only side that can stop England’s march to the crown, boasting arguably the most balanced and complete team.
Verdict
A third successive defeat for South Africa.
Wednesday 5 June
The Oval, London (14:30)
Bangladesh 5/2
Tie 40/1
New Zealand 31/100
Bangladesh made a great start against the Proteas. While they were the beneficiaries of a Proteas meltdown, they were well prepared – and held their nerve towards the backend of both innings.
The experienced big five of Bangladesh have been playing together for some time now, but they should find the Black Caps of New Zealand a sterner test of their mettle.
New Zealand blew away Sri Lanka in their opening game, but as a result didn’t really get the kind of time out in the middle their batsmen would have liked. Only Colin Munro and Martin Guptill got a hit, but both looked in decent touch.
The Black Caps are unlikely to bowl as badly as South Africa did, but will be under pressure to put the Tigers away – and pressure can do strange things to a team.
Verdict
New Zealand to win and win well.
Thursday 6 June
Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11:30)
Australia 47/100
Tie 40/1
West Indies 7/4
Neither side would have been considered as frontrunners for a semi-final spot a few months ago, but after the opening round of matches both the West Indies and Australia are in a great position.
Australia have found answers to their batting woes, while the West Indies still need to prove they can consistently challenge the best in the world.
David Warner powered Australia to an opening win over Afghanistan, but the West Indies bowlers should provide him with a tougher test.
Oshane Thomas started so well for the West Indies and was well supported by all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer. A competitive World Cup would do a lot for cricket in the Caribbean – and they are playing well enough to be in the mix come the business end of the tournament.
Verdict
Australia to get over the line.
Friday 7 June
County Ground, Bristol (11:30)
Sri Lanka
Tie
Pakistan
A big game for both sides, these are the kind of matches that will need to be won if Pakistan are to make it into the semi-finals. But Sri Lanka will not roll over.
These two sides are quite familiar with each other, but Pakistan should hold a big edge because of the quality of their fast bowling.
The wicket in Bristol looks to be a good track for batting, but some teams have struggled against the new ball, especially when there is a bit of extra pace involved.
Sri Lanka’s attack does not have the firepower of Pakistan, so skipper Karunaratne will need to be clever.
Verdict
Pakistan should win unless they suffer an implosion.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (11:30)
England
Tie
Bangladesh
As good as Bangladesh were in their opening game, it would be very surprising if they stayed near the top of the table for long in conditions that don’t suit their style of play.
England started their ODI revolution after defeat to Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup – and will see this game as a marker of how far they have come.
Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes knows the conditions in England well, but leveraging that knowledge into something the Tigers can use against the best ODI side in the world right now will prove tough.
England will have their quality against spin thoroughly tested at the very least – and if recent encounters between the teams are anything to go by, we could also see some needle.
Verdict
England all day.
County Ground, Taunton (14:30)
Afghanistan
Tie
New Zealand
New Zealand and Afghanistan will play just their second ever ODI. Their only previous meeting came during the 2015 World Cup in Napier, where the visitors struggled against the left-arm spin of Daniel Vettori.
Vettori has since retired, but New Zealand still have a left-arm spinner hanging around in all-rounder Mitchell Santner. Santner would be an unlikely hero even in ‘Ciderabad’, with the Black Caps sporting a ferocious quick bowling arsenal.
Rashid Khan can impact a game with the ball on almost any surface, but he and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will need the batsmen to carry their part of the bargain.
Afghanistan have some explosive batsmen, but they have proven inconsistent – and their progress in world cricket could stall if this area is not addressed.
Verdict
New Zealand to win.
Sunday 9 June
The Oval, London (11:30)
India
Tie
Australia
India beat an Australia ODI side that was on the up two-one in a hard fought series in Australia earlier this year, but everything that has come before will be irrelevant when one of modern cricket’s greatest rivalries resumes.
Australia can expect a crowd that will be largely backing India – and won’t be able to count on the support of too many neutrals.
Fast bowler Pat Cummins could hold the key to disrupting India’s powerful top-order, having already proved he can do some damage against them.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni comes into what is likely to be his last World Cup in ominous form – and he would love to go out with a winner’s medal.
Verdict
India to win a real battle.
Written by @JonhenryWilson
