Nasser Hussain on 2019 Cricket World Cup, the Ashes and Steve Smith-David Warner return
Nasser Hussain has issued a timely reminder that it is not only hosts England, defending champions Australia and Virat Kohli’s India who are capable of winning the 2019 World Cup.
Much of the build-up to this summer’s showpiece event, which starts on May 30, has focused on England – currently ranked No. 1 in the world – five-time winners Australia and in-form India.
But former England captain Hussain says the tournament is ‘wide open’, with New Zealand, West Indies and Pakistan also capable of lifting the trophy at Lord’s come July 14. ‘The two top-ranked sides – England and India – have both got great chances [of winning the World Cup],’ Hussain told Metro.co.uk.
‘India have a massive, massive line-up, they really do. They travel well and Kohli is the great player in world cricket at the moment.
‘Looking at England, it’s a complete turnaround from where they were going into the last World Cup, and any World Cup really. They are in serious form.
‘But looking elsewhere, New Zealand are a very fine side and their record recently is exceptional. West Indies can be a bit hit and miss but just look at some of their cricketers…
‘Talking of hit and miss, look at Pakistan. They’re playing terrible one-day cricket at the moment but that almost makes them more dangerous.
‘One day they’re down and the next they’re brilliant, as they showed in the Champions Trophy [in 2017]. So it’s wide open, it really is.’
Australia, who won the last World Cup four years ago on home soil, announced their provisional squad for this summer’s tournament on Monday.
Former captain Steve Smith and opening batsman David Warner were both named in the 15-man squad, a little over a year since they were banned for their parts in the ball-tampering scandal.
Smith and Warner are currently playing in the Indian Premier League, with Warner making five plus-50 scores in his seven innings for 2018 runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Hussain expects the two Australians to perform well at the World Cup and says they deserve their place in the squad.
He added: ‘They are very fine cricketers but it will be difficult for them both as they will cop a bit of flack from the crowds.
‘Everyone makes mistakes and they’ve served their bans so it’s time to move on. It’s absolutely right that they’re back in the squad.
‘What could be difficult for them both is knowing they’ve replaced two good cricketers in the squad. That might weigh heavy on their shoulders but I expect them to play well.
’ Following the World Cup, England’s attentions turn to Test cricket and a home Ashes series against Australia.
The Baggy Greens are currently in possession of the urn following their 4-0 triumph in 2017-18, but Hussain believes England’s strength at home will see Joe Root’s side regain the Ashes.
However, the former captain says finding a settled and successful top three will be imperative, with England’s top-order struggling over the past two years and Alastair Cook retiring last summer.
‘England’s record at home is phenomenal,’ Hussain said.
‘They are a very good team at home. Look what they did to India last summer.
‘We have a long batting line-up but we need to find a top three that gets runs, which won’t be easy against that impressive Australian pace attack.
‘England have Root, [Ben] Stokes, [Jos] Buttler and [Jonny] Bairstow in their middle order, who are all fantastic players. But, to win an Ashes series, you need your top three to fire.’
https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/16/nass...-and-steve-smith-david-warner-return-9222532/
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