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Graeme Swann predicts the winner of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Swann predicts that England will win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
The number 1 ranked team in the world, England, have been clinical in the ongoing Cricket world Cup. Sans the defeat to Pakistan, Eoin Morgan's side have been the team to beat, and have emerged as one of the frontrunners for the trophy.
Though Australia lead the points table, and New Zealand and India are unbeaten so far, former offie Graeme Swann believes that it will be England who will win the Cup.
‘India were brilliant against Pakistan and they have every right to be up there in the betting, but I still fancy England to go all the way,’ he told Betfair. ‘Australia have been a little bit lucky so far – their batsmen play a little bit old-fashioned and they were bailed out by Mitchell Starc against Sri Lanka. ‘I wouldn’t put them in the same bracket as England or India. ‘New Zealand are untested so far, playing all the easy sides and then seeing their clash with India rained off. They are not battle-hardened yet.’
England will take on Afghanistan on Tuesday, the English spinner wants his former team to be ruthless against them.
‘Like just about everyone I’m expecting an England win against Afghanistan at Old Trafford but what I want to see is a ruthless one,’ the former England star said. ‘Afghanistan, in World Cup terms, are the weak link. That’s not to say they are without talent, and I do think they have the potential to frighten a couple of teams. ‘Certainly the openers will have their day against one or two bowling attacks and in Rashid Khan they have a world-class talent with the ball."
Swann added: ‘The worst thing you can do against weak opposition is to stop playing your natural game. The team that takes its foot off the gas – either through fear of failure or fear of destroying an opponent – will lose.
‘England have to treat Afghanistan like they would Australia – that means staying proactive and playing their trademark attacking brand of cricket. ‘This is Afghanistan’s cup final so we must play hard – because they definitely will – and, trust me, they’re good enough to cause an upset. They don’t have the experience or depth to contend in the long run but they can certainly play."
ALSO READ: England vs Afghanistan, ICC World Cup 2019: Joe Root & Rashid Khan are key players to watch out for
