World Cup 2019: Predicting where each team will finish on the points table

The entire cricketing fraternity will have their eyes glued to the action as England take on South Africa for the opener of the ICC World Cup 2019 in less than a day.

The 10 warm-up games, with a bit of marring by rain have given teams enough time to reflect upon plans for their oppositions, their own World cup squad setup and batting order. Many teams might have had their questions answered while many would have had fresh doubts created.

Though this is a tournament filled with surprises and with no team down at any stage, there a couple of pre-tournament favourites who are oozing with confidence who will be exciting to watch.

Despite being pretty tough to determine with authority, let's now take a look at a prediction of where the teams will finish on the World cup points table at the end of the group stage.

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#10 Sri Lanka

Lahiru Thirimanne gets cleaned up.

It's very clear from the warm-up games that Sri Lanka have a huge number of problems at hand. Their opening pair is clearly not settled, they are unable to find the right team combination, there are too many ineffective all-rounders and their spin bowling has been horrific.

While skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis have done a good job with the bat, Sri Lanka need to step up as a unit and need to perform much better than what they have done so far if they want to pose a challenge. They actually have a huge list of match-winners in their squad but they have refused to perform like they need to do.

Sadly, they have found it difficult to do so and have a low probability of actually doing so.

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#9 Afghanistan

Jason Roy's blitzkrieg and Afghanistan's batting collapse indicates that they have a lot of errors to rectify.

Underdogs Afghanistan have been pretty refreshing to watch and really pulled out a surprise by beating Pakistan in their first warm-up game but the crushing loss to England showed them that they shouldn't get too ahead of themselves. While they are undeniably optimistic and enthusiastic on the field, they have some clear holes in the squad which makes them a weak opposition.

Their spin bowling is undoubtedly one of the best in the tournament but isn't enough to keep them floating. All their batsmen have to step up and contribute, not just one or two players. Plus, their pace bowling has been very ineffective and they have leaked runs very easily.

While Afghanistan can spring another surprise on unsuspecting opponents, they have a long way to go before they become contenders.

#8 Bangladesh

Bangladesh failed to capitalize on a good start with the ball.

Bangladesh have always looked like a harmless, docile unit but for the past few years, they have really proved to be predators and have beaten a lot of good oppositions without attracting too much attention. They have a pretty good squad and a lot of match-winning players but the reason why they are ranked this low is because, when compared to the might of other teams, Bangladesh seem to be lacking in impact players.

But unlike the bottom two teams, Bangladesh have a good chance of proving me wrong and can deliver a good performance contradicting expectations. They do have death bowling issues and lack power in the middle order and all these might end up leaving them well short of where they should have ended up.

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#7 Pakistan

Shoaib Malik's experience will be vital for Pakistan

Don't let Pakistan's woeful form let you into thinking that they are push-overs. Hell, if it weren't for their recent performance, they would have been assured to qualify by many experts and fans alike. Such is the strength of this Pakistan unit who have plenty of good players who however have seen a dip in form, at the same time.

Apart from Babar Azam and opener Imam Ul-Haq, their top order has lacked the bite in the last few games and pace bowling mainstay Hasan Ali's unexpected failure has left them a bit short in their bowling reserves. But these players are all eyeing a return to form and can certainly do so in the main matches. But another possibility is that their poor form might result in low confidence and lead to a further drop in performance.

Pakistan are a very strong side who need confidence to power through the tournament.

t #6 West Indies

Andre Russell batted beautifully.

West Indies are the team who can surprise all the oppositions and after being billed as a team filled with 'T20' players, their show against New Zealand dispelled doubts about their strength. Shai Hope has been brilliant at the top and with Gayle in the mood of destroying bowling attacks, their top order does pack a punch. They have 3 great all-rounders and Andre Russell especially will be the X-factor for their side.

They have very energetic pacers who can rattle the opposition and if they have any weakness, it's the lack of good spinners. West Indies are an explosive squad who can really stun their opponents.

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#5 New Zealand

Ross Taylor will play a pivotal role for New Zealand.

New Zealand bowling's attack led by Trent Boult have been pretty good over the last few months but the hiding received in the game against West Indies must have been an eye opener. The Black Caps have a very balanced squad and have always been a team to beat this Cricket World Cup. They came close to winning the title last edition and will want to do so this time around. They have no effective pacer apart from Boult and that seems to be one issue with their side.

#4 South Africa

Faf Du Plessis

The 'Chokers' as they have been tagged, the Proteas army haven't had a memorable World Cup record. However, they have a very strong squad with their top order and fiery pace attack being their main strengths. Though their middle order has been a bit shaky in the past, Andile Phehlukwayo and David Miller are pretty dependable players and they can deliver when the occasion rises. South Africa's reckoning is likely to take them to the semi-finals and they are a team to beat.

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#3 India

KL Rahul's timely hundred has put the debate over the No.4 spot for a rest, at least for a while.

The Indian team are one of the sides to beat in this tournament and are one of the pre-tournament favourites. Their razor-sharp top order with Virat Kohli anchoring the lot is lethal to most bowling attacks but the form of their openers is a slight cause for concern. Their spin bowlers are one of the best in the tournament and the pace bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah have done a decent job as well. The No.4 spot is likely to go to KL Rahul but the solidity of that position is still to be seen. They will be very tough to beat and are strong contenders to lift their 3rd World Cup title.

#2 Australia

Beating Australia seems to be a daunting task.

Australia have resurrected themselves after a disappointing 2018 and have returned to form with a bang. The timely return of David Warner and Steve Smith makes them even stronger and they have looked clinical in all 3 of their warm-up games. They have a top order capable of going bonkers, powerful all-rounders and a fiery pace attack led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Even their spin bowling options in Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon and Glenn Maxwell are pretty good. They are a well balanced side who can stake claim to their 6th World Cup title.

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#1 England

England.

England were always firm favourites to win their first World Cup title on home soil and after an initial setback, their convincing trouncing of Afghanistan speaks volumes of their strength. The No.1 ODI side look a well balanced side filled with powerful batsmen and though their pace attack looks a bit jittery, it can be attributed to nerves which are bound to get better. They are undoubtedly the toughest team this tournament and are almost sure to make it to the playoffs.