Pollock reiterates World Cup favourites tag for India and England 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 begins on May 30.

England has played magnificent one-day cricket in the recent past | Getty

Former South African pacer Shaun Pollock opined that either India or England will clinch victory in this year's ICC Cricket World Cup in the United Kingdom. 

Pollock himself played four world cups and never won that prestigious trophy. He knows just how difficult it is to reach there. But he is backing No.1 and No.2 ranked ODI sides to be too good for the rest of their competitors during the 10-team marquee event. 

"There are only 10 teams and each team played each other before the semi-finals, but I think there will only be about six teams capable of really competing for the trophy," ex-Proteas fast bowler told the reporters present. 

Pollock reckons that the likes of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka wouldn't able to survive long in the tournament. 

"Australia struggled recently but I believe the return of Steve Smith and David Warner will make a big difference," he added, "New Zealand are currently playing good cricket but I do think India and England are the favourites to win the event."

But what about the chances of his own country, which kickstarts its campaign versus England in the opening encounter at The Oval on May 30?

"South Africa will believe they can make the semi-finals and from there, anything can happen," Pollock has faith. 

(Inputs from Sport24)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 06 Feb, 2019

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