ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – What to Expect

India gears up for a spectacular global showcase in the upcoming two months: England’s quest to defend their dramatic 2019 50-over World Cup win. Remember that victory? Achieved by the slimmest of margins. Under Jos Buttler’s leadership, the English squad hopes to clinch back-to-back white-ball World Cup titles, building on their T20 success in Australia in 2022.

Are you curious about England’s prospects? Keen to know their strongest competitors, the tournament’s format, the hosting cities, the star players, or why the West Indies team is notably missing? Welcome to Stakers’s comprehensive guide to the 2023 Men’s 50-over World Cup. We’ll guide bettors on how to stay updated with every game and offer some insight into the favourites.

How Long Does the Cricket World Cup Last?

• The Men’s 50-over WC 13th edition is set to unfold in India, spanning from October 5 to November 19.
• Ten iconic venues across cities – Dharamshala, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Chennai – will witness the cricketing fixtures.
• All group fixtures will conclude on November 12, paving the way for the semi-finals, which will be played on November 15-16.

Which Countries Are Taking Part?

New Zealand, Bangladesh, England, India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and Pakistan secured their spots in the World Cup courtesy of their top-eight finishes in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. While India had the added advantage of being the host nation, they had earned their place regardless.

Sri Lanka and the Netherlands rounded off the World Cup roster, having emerged victorious in the qualifying event in Zimbabwe earlier this year. The Netherlands clinched their spot following a decisive match against Scotland, while Sri Lanka stood undefeated in a contest that saw participation from nations like Ireland, West Indies, and Zimbabwe.

Were you wondering about the West Indies? Regrettably, the champions of the opening two World Cup editions (‘75 & ‘79) won’t make an appearance this year. Marking a first in their cricketing history, they missed out on qualification.

England Fixture List

Who’s In The Running For The Championship This Season?

Let’s make the important call first, and that is the fact that England remains a strong contender.

They are the reigning champions of both white-ball WC formats, marking a historic achievement for men’s cricket. From their victorious 2019 squad, players like Buttler, Bairstow, Stokes, Root, Wood, Rashid, Woakes, and Ali might once again grace the field. Stokes offers a dynamic yet steady force after stepping back into the ODI arena. However, his old left knee problem will prevent him from bowling.

India is widely favoured, especially considering the recent track record: the hosts of the last three 50-over World Cups emerged as champions (India in 2011, Australia in 2015, and England in 2019). The Indian lineup boasts cricket legends like captain Sharma and the iconic Kohli, who’s nearing Tendulkar’s iconic ODI century record. Their bowling resource is diverse, but it’s been a while since they clinched a major ICC trophy, with several close calls in the semi-finals.

Australia and Pakistan always remain wild cards due to their rich cricket history. With their recent final appearances, New Zealand is also in the spotlight of online bookmakers’ offering. But the question lingers: Could South Africa finally break their jinx? The Proteas have the firepower in both batting and bowling. Yet, their past continues to haunt them. Having reached several semi-finals across formats, they have always fallen short.

Stakers experts believe this could be a year of upsets and surprises, but the favourites should be there or thereabouts once the semi-finals and final come around.

Official England Team Members

• Jos Buttler (captain)
• Joe Root
• Moeen Ali
• Dawid Malan
• Chris Woakes
• Ben Stokes
• Jonny Bairstow
• Adil Rashid
• David Willey
• Gus Atkinson
• Mark Wood
• Sam Curran
• Harry Brook
• Reece Topley
• Liam Livingstone

The Final Call

India seems to be the team to beat. Holding the top rank globally, and with the historical trend favouring home teams – think again to England’s victory in 2019, Australia’s in 2015, and India’s triumph in 2011 – their chances look promising. With a well-rounded team, taking them down will undoubtedly be a challenge, but there is every chance we will see a surprise, and England is very much in the mix.