The Cricket World Cup this year hosts ten different teams from across the globe. All having trained through test matches for the past four years, these teams are at the top of their game and will be taking the UK by storm throughout June and July.
If you’re on the lookout for accommodation in London during your World Cup stay, Montcalm hotels provide comfortable accommodation throughout the city. Best of all, there are options for spa breaks in London so your family, friends or partner can relax while you watch your favourite sport.
With London hotel packages in bustling, nightlife-friendly East London and in the idyllic pastures of West London, you’ll have plentiful transport routes to the inner-city stadiums. That means easy access while also having the chance to enjoy some of the best discounted hotels in London!
Inner-city stadiums include the Kia Oval in South East London, and the St John’s Woods based Lord’s Cricket Ground, and each hold five different matches during the World Cup, including the opening and the final.
So, if you’re planning on staying in one of our London luxury hotels, which cricket matches are going to make the trip to the city worth your while? We thought we’d give you the lowdown on what to expect from the cricket teams playing at this year World Cup, and why they may – or may not – be worth a watch.
West Indies
The West Indies have had a checkered past of success at the Cricket World Cup.
Having won the tournament in 1975 and 79, the team only reached the quarterfinals in the past two tournaments. The West Indies only managed to win 8 out of their 18 ODI matches in 2018 and lost against Bangladesh in a home series. The year before that saw the national team only win 3 out of 22 matches, putting them in a precarious position this year-round.
Sri Lanka
Having won the World Cup back in 1996, the team has recently been plagued with allegations of match-fixing and corruption, and although they’ve won games against South Africa in test settings, the team have nurtured an atmosphere of distrust.
The team has since then gone on to lose a wide range of their matches, most notably to a lesser skilled Zimbabwe at the Sri Lankan home ground. To make matters worse, the team has recently been accused of attempting to fix their recent test match against England, putting them in bad stead on their return to the host team’s country.
South Africa
This year the South African team will have low expectations of where they’ll get in the World Cup, having been cursed with bad luck in past World Cup matches and having been knocked out in the early rounds. With two of their star players having retired in the late noughties, this fresh to the wicket team might be eager to assert themselves on the world stage but lack the experience that made their forebearers such talented players in the 90’s and noughties.
Pakistan
Pakistan is known for their sporadic success and, having been beaten in the opening match of the Champions Trophy by 124 runs against India two years ago, they went on to beat their arch-rivals by 180 runs in the final.
With some star players showing a lot of promise this year, the team hopes to pave the way to victory with the likes of Hasan Ali and Usman Shinwari. With batsmen like Babar Azam hitting eight centuries and averaging over 51, there’s no doubt that the Pakistan team has a solid team and more than enough to at least reach the semifinals.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s World Cup team has been tortured by bouts of having near-wins, having lost out fve times in the semis and even once in the final.
Having never won the Cup, they’re more determined than ever this year, especially with the likes of pro swing bowler Trent Boult and jaw-dropping batter Kane Williamson. Despite their near wins, they’ve recently lost out to India in an embarrassing 4-1 loss and have lost their star captain Brendon McCullum but nevertheless have a solid team going into the 2019 World Cup.
India
India is certainly one of the favourites this year.
With their ranking of second in one-day matches internationally, the team has thrashed teams such as South Africa in ODI matches last year and are proudly captained by Virat Kohli who has been rated as probably the best batsman in the world. India is certainly up there with the best odds for their team to do well this year.
England
Since the World Cup began in 1975, England has featured every year running. This is no surprise, seeing as the sport was created in the country! This year is particularly exciting as they are the host team.
Playing on comfortable turf will certainly help the England team, who are facing good odds at the bookies now. What’s more, the team has risen to the top of the 50-over rankings and with the powerhouse team of Joe Root, Jos Buttler and captain Eoin Morgan, the team is in good stead for the win. That being said, the England team may have a solid team, but they have still never won the World Cup, despite making it to several finals in the past.
Bangladesh
After a disappointing quarter final knock out in 2015, Bangladesh is looking strong this World Cup.
Having won 13 of 20 test matches, the Bangladesh team is third only to England and India regarding their ranking. The cricket veterans on their team include Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, two of the strongest players in the tournament this year. This team is famous for keeping calm and collected on the pitch, outwitting their often-hot headed opponents with the cool tactics.
Afghanistan
With Leg-Spinner Rashid Khan at their helm, Afghanistan has come a long way since their first outing as a World Cup team in 2015. With a wide range of great players including Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai, the team still had some close calls during their Zimbabwe World Cup qualifying matches.
Australia
Australia is another team that is touted to get to the final, in part because of their history of winning the most World Cups since its inception.
Since beating New Zealand by the skin of their teeth in the final of 2015, they have gone on to have a far more marred output. With a ball-tampering scandal last year and a crushing 9-1 defeat against England over two consecutive 2018 series, the team has not been looking on form. With losses to South African and India last summer, they’re looking a little worse for wear for this World Cup.
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