The gets underway tomorrow morning with the hosts and defending champions Australia in action against New Zealand. The second match of the day will see England do battle against Afghanistan at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Cricket writer has prepared his best bet for the weekend including the huge clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday.
Australia
The Aussies begin the defence of their crown against the team they defeated in last year’s final. Aaron Finch’s side has not been in the best of form but I expect them to be too much for a struggling New Zealand side. You can never count out the Black Caps in world cups but I think they will struggle this year with some of their batsmen out of form.
Australia are the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s world cup and I expect them to get off to a winning start in front of a capacity crowd at the SCG.
David Warner
Last year’s player of the tournament will be looking to get off a great start on home soil. He has a fantastic record at home in T20Is. David Warner has scored 453 runs from his last ten home T20Is at an average of 90.60, including one century and four fifties.
India
India are the team to beat at this world cup in my opinion. They have the best and most balanced squad on paper and are taking on a Pakistan side that are too reliant on the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Despite being without Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, India has the quality with the bat to make up for a weaker bowling attack. Players like KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have found form at the right time, not to mention their power hitters in Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya.
Alex Hales
Alex Hales has a fantastic record in Australia, He’s the second-highest run-scorer for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. Hales has scored 1,502 runs in 45 innings at an average of 36.63 and a strike rate of 152.33 including one century and 11 half-centuries for his current club. I expect him to do well against Afghanistan in Perth.
First Six Overs
England are averaging more powerplay runs this calendar year than Afghanistan (48 to 45) and I see that continuing for this match.