There is a lot of buzz surrounding around the 2019 World Cup as it will witness some of the best cricketers from 10 nations fighting for the ultimate battle of supremacy. For the quadrennial event, the ICC has reverted to the 1992 round-robin format where all sides will play each other with the top-four teams qualifying for the semi-finals.
A change in format makes the 12th edition of ODI World Cup more competitive than ever, believes the captains of the participating countries.
"England in their conditions are the most strong side in this tournament. But all the teams so strong and well balanced and the fact we have to play every one once, I think this will be the most competitive World Cup that anyone will have seen,” India captain Virat Kohli was quoted as saying by ICC at the all World Cup skippers' press conference on Thursday (May 23).
England skipper Eoin Morgan said the tournament hosts have done everything possible to get itself ready for the “extraordinarily competitive” World Cup.
“I don’t think anyone is head and shoulders above anyone else. These are the ten best teams in the world, it will be extraordinarily competitive and some quality cricket will be played so we are really looking forward to it. Every captain sitting here would lose their left leg to play in a World Cup final at the home of cricket. It’s something every one of us would have dreamed of as a kid. We are as best prepared as we can be. We just want to play that first game now,” Morgan remarked.
Australia captain Aaron Finch, who welcomes back both David Warner and Steve Smith as his side look to defend the title they won in 2015, said: “Since Warner and Smith have come back into the set-up they have been fantastic and contributed so much. The morale has been unbelievable.
“Once it gets underway, particularly against England, and further on for the Ashes, the crowd will play a part but that is expected everywhere in the world. We have plans in place for that, and their squad input and output in terms of the runs they have been making has been fantastic.”
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis is hoping to become the first man to lead his country to a World Cup title.
“We are all really excited to try out this new tournament, to play every once I think is great. The way we use our resources will be vital, but every team has X-factor bowlers that will have a big say in the successes of the side. I think the bowlers will win it, the teams still in it towards the end of the tournament will be the teams that have done really well with the ball,” he said.
Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed is also feeling confident about their chances in the mega event.
“All the teams are really balanced. I think people are going to watch some great cricket,” he said. “Since winning the World Cup in 1992, making the final in 1999 here in England and then Champions Trophy in 2017, we go well in England so we are confident we will do well and challenge.”
New Zealand were runners up in the last ODI World Cup and the Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson hopes his side can go one better.
“There are a few guys in the squad from the last World Cup which is great. But four years in between means there are a lot of new players. There has been a of talk about rankings, favourites, underdogs but what stands out is how balanced it is. Which means anything can happen on the day which is so exciting,” he stated.
West Indies leader Jason Holder said: “It’s a very exciting format. In the past you could play five or six games, and that could be it. To play every side is great for us. We worked hard with the qualifiers to get here, that means it is the top ten in the world, we want to play them all and give ourselves a shot. The team that wins will definitely deserve it.”
Sri Lanka’s new captain Dimuth Karunaratne said: “We have great experience in England, we came here early to get used to the conditions and we are in good shape, hoping to do our best. It is not going to be easy though. We are confident and taking it each game one by one.”
Gulbadin Naib, who replaced Asghar Afghan as Afghanistan’s ODI captain ahead of the World Cup, said: “We are excited to be here, in front of the cricket world and to play the best teams. To present Afghanistan to the world is great and we are looking forward to it. There will be a huge audience at home in all the different provinces. Cricket is not just a sport now, in Afghanistan it has become something else.”
At last, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza expressed confident about his team’s chances.
“We have got a great bunch of boys, a good mix of seniors and juniors coming on. Cricket is a game that anyone on their day can beat anybody. If we start well we can hang in there. We are confident that we can go well, but a lot depends on the start,” Mortaza said.
(With ICC inputs)
