As the dust of this year’s incredible cricketing summer begins to settle, fans would be forgiven for thinking that this year’s international entertainment is now behind us.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
While the action on home soil has relented (for now), cricket fanatics' attention now turns to India in what is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely fought 50-over Cricket World Cups in recent iterations.
Taking place across India, fans should expect explosive innings, rapid spells of bowling, and match-winning performances played out in the coming weeks.
Here, we will discuss the intricacies of the 50-Over World Cup, highlighting teams and players to keep an eye out for.
Who Came Out on Top in the Last World Cup?
It is England that goes into the World Cup as the current holder, having won the competition in dramatic fashion on home soil back in 2019. England managed to win the competition after years of one-day cricket overhaul by Eioan Morgan and his men, blazing past any and all opposition.
However, that was not the case in the final at Lords, where a full house watched New Zealand go toe to toe with the home favourites, ultimately tying the game and taking it to a Super Over.
Even after the Super Over, both teams could not be separated, with England ultimately winning it all thanks to scoring more boundaries than the opposition.
Who Will Win?
Of the ten teams taking part, every single one can beat one another on any given day. In fact, this is probably one of the most open 50-over competitions in recent memory.
With more franchise 20/20 cricket than ever before, players have had the chance to experiment and test themselves against the best possible opposition, and the standard is certainly high.
However, of the teams participating, we believe these five show the most signs of having what it takes to win it all.
England
Of course, we have to begin with our England. As holders, England certainly stand as good a chance as any when it comes to lifting the World Cup trophy.
Despite the retirement of Morgan, a talismanic captain, the boots have been well-filled by Butler and co, and the combination of years of experience and exciting young talent is likely to cause other teams plenty of headaches throughout the competition. With the return and form of the current Test captain Stokesy in our back pocket too, you can’t help but think the double is well within reach.
South Africa
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. South Africa is a country of what-ifs. They’ve come close to winning ICC events before, but there is reason to believe that this team stands as much chance as any that has come before, with their balance of spin, pace, and power-hitting.
However, their squad depth is certainly more shallow than others, so they will be relying heavily on their key players firing from ball one.
Australia
While Australia certainly aren’t the formidable force that they once were, you should never write them off. They know how to win, and players like David Warner will be out to prove a point after a lean summer with the bat.
Combine that experience with the exciting talent that allrounders like Cam Green possess, and Australia look like they will be very competitive at this World Cup.
Pakistan
What can you expect when Pakistan take to the field? Sometimes, it looks like even Pakistan aren’t sure!
While they can certainly run hot or cold, there is no denying that Pakistan is an incredibly exciting team to watch, packed with some of the best fast bowlers in the world. Read more about Pakistan's team here.
India
Going into the competition as the number one ranked team in the world and playing at home, it is hard to ignore that India is easily one of the favourites at this World Cup. With a star-studded lineup, the main problem India may struggle with is deciding who to leave out.
Players to Watch
So, what makes these teams so threatening? In shorter formats of the game, much like in 20/20 cricket, one person can take the game away from the opposition, either with a blistering knock with the bat or a spell of bowling that rips through the opposition's line-up.
Here are some of the key players to watch:
England
Ben Stokes: Can you really write an article about the English cricket team without mentioning Ben Stokes? Even without being able to bowl, his blistering 180+ score this summer on his return suggests he could be a real threat in the middle order.
Honourable mention: While Jos Butler is an obvious choice as a game-changer, it will also be very interesting to see how England deploys Gus Atkinson, with many opposition players never facing him before.
South Africa
Heinrich Klaasen: It’s safe to say that Heinrich Klaasen has had the best year of his career by far. Whatever was missing in his game for the last few years has clicked into place, and the man has been unstoppable in 20/20 cricket across the globe, including in India.
He is a fantastic player of spin, and the way he manages the spin-friendly pitches will play a huge role in South Africa’s performance at this World Cup.
Honourable mention: Quinton De Kock is a polarising character but an incredibly talented top-order batter. He possesses the ability to score all around the ground, often in a manner that looks effortless. Will he be able to perform to the best of his ability in his final competition as an international cricketer?
Australia
Glenn Maxwell: The Big Show is well and truly back from his horrific leg break last year, and when he is firing on all cylinders, you can be sure no cricket fan will be taking their eye off the game. Born to entertain, a fit and firing Maxwell could be the catalyst for Australia mounting a challenge for the gold.
Honourable mention: Mitchel Marsh has had something of a career resurgence in recent years, and with Travis Head out of action for the first few games, he has a chance to set the tone at the top of the order for the first time in a major competition.
Pakistan
PakistanShaheen Shah Afridi: Is there anything more exciting to watch in cricket than a fast swing bowler smattering the opening batsmen’s stumps in all directions? With Shaheen’s 90mph inswingers to deal with, expect to see Pakistan take lots of wickets at the top of the order.
Honourable mention: In 50-over cricket, it is vital that one player scores a big score, allowing others to attack from the other end. No one is better at that than Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Will he be able to continue his incredible form in front of a hostile Indian crowd?
India
Shubman Gill: This year’s IPL was dominated by one man, a young, up-and-coming Indian opening batsman named Shubman Gill. Stylish and highly skilled, Gill is certainly an exciting talent to watch on home soil, and it is arguable that his skills are even more suited for 50-over cricket than 20/20.
Honourable mention: Much like writing an article about English cricket without mentioning Ben Stokes, you can’t talk about India’s chances of winning on home soil without mentioning their star player, Virat Kohli. While his form has been mixed in recent years, the signs are there to say he could be getting back to his best right in time for the World Cup.
One thing is for sure, this world cup is going to enthrall from the get-go – it’s a tricky one to call, but we have every faith that England can bring the title home once again.
Interested in seeing England play live in 2024? Take a look at our exception hospitality packages for a range of thrilling head-to-heads at Edgbaston Stadium, Lord’s or The Kia Oval.
