The hosts and current No.1 ODI team England are rated as the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup 2019. The English batting department is well complemented by the bowling attack which has won them not only matches but series. After demolishing the touring Pakistani side, this new England team will be looking to win their maiden World Cup.

England will take on the archrival Australia on May 25 and Afghanistan on May 27 in warm-up matches ahead of the ICC mega event.

The England captain who is a key member in this batting line-up and has been in good form is going to miss out on the first warm-up match due to a small fracture which he got in a practice session ahead of the warm-up match against the defending champs.

On Friday, while training for the game, Morgan took a knock to his finger during catching drills. After the practice, he went to hospital for a precautionary X-ray, which revealed the small fracture.

Even though the English skipper has sustained a small flake fracture to his left index finger, he is expected to be fit for the tournament opener in which the hosts take on South Africa on 30 May at The Oval in London.

The England captain has appeared in 222 ODIs and has 6977 runs to his name at an average of 39.64 with 12 tons and 45 half centuries.

In 2011, India lifted the World Cup on their home soil. In 2015, the Australians lifted the World Cup on their home soil. With that stat, England are favourites to be the third consecutive home team to win the World Cup.

(With inputs from ESPNCricinfo)