Former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist talked about the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 and named his four potential semi-finalists, who he thinks can go all the way when the tournament begins on October 5 in India.
Gilchrist, part of Australia’s dominant run in World Cups when they won the tournament thrice in a row in 1999, 2003, and 2007, said that he sees India, Pakistan, England, and Australia line up as the favorites to lift the trophy.
"I think India and Pakistan could feature, Australia and England are another two teams,” Gilchrist was quoted by PTI.
Gilchrist is hopeful that Australia will do well in India as they are set to play three ODIs before the World Cup begins. Australia had previously won a bilateral ODI series 2-1 against India in March.
"Australia will learn a lot from their efforts in South Africa when they come to India. They have got three games before the World Cup against India. So, they will have a bit more of a full-strength squad there, that might tell us a bit about where they are at," Gilchrist said.
"Adam Zampa, in South Africa, was at the receiving end a little bit but it's different conditions out here in India with different pitches and he is a world-class spin bowler, and he has shown that particularly across T20 cricket, and now he gets his chance in the 50-over World Cup. So it's a very knowledgeable group and they are going to have to use all that experience against batting line-ups across the globe and play without fear," he further added.
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Captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell are set to return from injuries in the 3-match series against India.
The last time Australia played in India, opener David Warner was dropped down to the middle order due to lack of form. Gilchrist said that he was not a fan of that and said that Warner should be able to cash in on his form from South Africa.
"He [Warner] looked really good in South Africa for the most of what he did. I think he has got to bat at the top, there has been some sort of discussions that he bats down the middle order but I think he has got to open. He showed in South Africa a couple of times that he is [as] aggressive and dominant at the top of the order as he has ever been. So, I think they bring with him a lot of experience and a lot of confidence, and I think he should play at the top of the order for Australia and if he plays well then our opposition will fear that" the former cricketer concluded.
Australia and India will both open their World Cup 2023 tournament campaigns against each other on October 8 in Chennai.
(PTI inputs)
