Cricket World Cup 2019 predictions: Winner, most runs, leading wickets, player of the tournament and more

England's Jos Buttler is amongst those our writers are backing to have a stellar summer
Action Images via Reuters

Ahead of the start of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, we asked four of our writers to stick their neck out and give us their predictions for this summer's tournament.

Will England win the World Cup? Will South Africa finally shake that chokers tag? Will Chris Gayle ever run a single? Here's what (they think) we've got to look forward to...

The final four will be...

Ben Winstanley: India, New Zealand and South Africa to join England. After the hosts, Virat Kohli’s side probably have the strongest one-day batting line-up while New Zealand’s pace attack could blow a few teams away. The final place is tougher to call but South Africa look to have a better balance than Australia, Pakistan and West Indies.

Malik Ouzia: England and Australia look nailed on to me. I'm not as certain on India as most people seem to be, but they should have enough, and then the West Indies, with New Zealand to just miss out.

England Cricket World Cup 2019 squad

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Tom Collomosse: England, Australia, India, Pakistan. The hosts have a hugely strong team, while Australia are hitting form at the right time. India are my prediction to take the tournament, while Pakistan’s victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy shows they, too, can thrive in these conditions.

​Will Macpherson: England, India, Australia, South Africa. A boring choice, but surely the most likely. South Africa will be consistent enough to pip New Zealand and West Indies. The other three will have had a mare not to make it, even if Australia are still a recovering force.

The winner will be...

BW: England. They are better placed to succeed than ever before, with their best opening partnership and a relentless middle order. While the bowling remains too expensive, Jofra Archer improves them and in any case they have proved they can chase down pretty much anything.

MO: England. I nearly went with Australia, so that being correct would be a consolation if they beat us in the final. Then I realised that wouldn’t be any consolation at all.

TC: India. They have done well in global tournaments in England before, winning the 2013 Champions Trophy here and reaching the final four years later, where they were beaten by Pakistan. Have the depth and know-how to regain the trophy they won on home soil in 2011.

​WM: England. Surely not? England are rubbish at World Cups and, even after a build-up that has been so smooth as to be unsettling, they will surely find a way to cock it up. That’s all we know. On a more serious note, England should win the Men’s World Cup for the first time. They have home advantage, brilliant batsmen and bowlers who fly under the radar. Will never have a better chance.

The top run-scorer will be...

BW: Joe Root. The least eye-catching member of England’s explosive batting line-up but still the classiest. It’s testament to the strength of the squad that he remains under-rated in this format, but averages 50, scores quickly and is the perfect man to rebuild if England suffer a rare tough start.

MO: Jason Roy. Past 75 in four of his last five ODI innings, including two centuries. Looks the most in-form batsman in a team that a) is full of them, b) will probably score the most runs at the tournament and c) should play 11 games.

TC: Jonny Bairstow. He can maintain his explosive recent form, which has seen him dominate both at the IPL and in England colours. Along with Jason Roy, he looks certain to give England a powerful start to their innings throughout the tournament.

​WM: Steve Smith. The bloke can still really, really play.

The top wicket-taker will be...

BW: Trent Boult. The classy spearhead of New Zealand’s attack has been a top-class opening bowler for years and remains in fine form. Took four wickets in each of their two warm-up matches this week, against India and West Indies.

MO: Trent Boult. Finished level with Mitchell Starc on 22 wickets at the last World Cup, and took eight in two warm-up games on the eve of the tournament.

TC: Hasan Ali. Brilliant in the Champions Trophy two years ago, the Pakistan quick has the guile, speed and variations to test the world’s best batsmen. Highly effective even on flat wickets – a sure sign of a quality fast bowler.

​WM: Chris Woakes. An unsung hero who will pick up plenty of hard-earned wickets in the first 10 overs and some cheaper ones at the death.

The player of the tournament will be...

BW: Eoin Morgan. If England win the tournament it will provide the ultimate vindication of their captain’s vision. Has moulded the side in his image by changing the mindset. Comes into the tournament in brilliant form with the bat.

MO: If England win the World Cup on home soil, it’s hard not to see an Englishman winning this prize, but which one? I’ll go Jos Buttler – others may get more runs, but his middle-order contributions will be crucial in swinging games England’s way.

TC: Virat Kohli. The India captain is still the best in the business against the white ball, especially when the pressure is at its greatest. Has all the shots, can dominate against any type of bowling and is almost superhuman at pacing a chase.

​WM: Jos Buttler. So important for England. Do not rule out his scoring a brilliant rapid century, and another that salvages a bad day for England. Their man for all seasons.

The surprise package will be...

BW: Bangladesh. They’ve earned recent series victories home and away against West Indies and should provide sterner opposition than before. They don’t get many chances to play against the very best so it will be fascinating to see if they can take a few big scalps. They’re also going for a hat-trick of World Cup wins over England...

MO: West Indies. Would be a surprise only because the accepted wisdom seems to be that they won't produce consistently enough to reach the last four. I’m not sure that is the case – if they can win the four games that they *should* win, they'll out-score a couple of the major contenders and six wins will probably be enough.

TC: Afghanistan. Their progress has been one of the greatest stories in modern sport and they have made considerable strides since their 50-over World Cup debut four years ago. They have the talent – especially in the spin department – to spring a surprise or two.

​WM: Bangladesh. Hard in a 10-team tournament. Cannot be New Zealand, forever the dark horses. And cannot be South Africa, who are unfancied but actually very good. How about Bangladesh, who have their experience and bowling to make a splash again.

You'll fall in love with...

BW: Afghanistan spinners Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan. Off-spinner Mujeeb, 18, is the youngest player at the tournament, has already played 30 ODIs and has a superb economy rate of 3.96. Off-spinner and vice-captain Rashid has played twice as many matches but is still only 20, averages 15 and goes at just 3.90.

MO: Kagiso Rabada. Only just 24, the baby-faced South African is at the peak of his powers, providing he’s shaken off the injury that curtailed his IPL campaign. Bowls with genuine pace and skill, usually with a smile on his face, while even his occasional petulance can be endearing.

TC: Pakistan. Will they shine or flop? Nobody can say for sure – and that is part of the thrill of watching Pakistan play cricket. Their batting can be maddening, their fielding similarly so – but their bowling attack will always be wonderful to watch. Can do plenty of damage, despite their one-day series thrashing by England.

​WM: Afghanistan. No team swings or runs harder (and with less thought), and their spin bowlers are awesome. Celebrate wickets with vim and have a wonderful story. Won’t get through, but will have a big say on who does. Your new favourite team.

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