3 teams that can challenge England in the World Cup

England are currently producing their best ODI cricket since colors replaced whites in the 1980s. A lot of their success can be put down to their explosive, fearless approach to batting which no opposing side has managed to control for more than a small window of time. In fact, when batting first in ODI cricket since January last year, England have scored 310 or more 12 out of 16 innings (75% of the time). Therefore, currently, they are favorites going into next year’s Cricket World Cup, and deservedly so.

However, I believe there are 3 teams that, provided they produce their best cricket, have a realistic chance of lifting the sport’s most prestigious trophy next year.

Australia

Likely line up:

1 - Warner

2 - Head

3 - Smith

4 - S Marsh

5 - Finch

6 - Carey/Short

7 - Paine

8 - Starc

9 - Hazelwood

10 - Cummins

11 - Lyon

It’s hard to look too much into the shortcomings of this Australian side in this past ODI series in England. Without their 2 best batsmen and 3 best bowlers it was always going to be an uphill battle. However, provided they are at full strength, they will be a real contender at the World Cup.

The experience of Warner and Smith at the top should provide them with a solid platform in most innings. The real question will be how they finish the last 10 overs without quite as much power as some other sides. Aaron Finch will be a key man in this area as he continues to adjust to his new finishing role in the side. The bowling attack (if fit) is a potent one, and one capable of demolishing a side in a hurry. However, whilst they are an attacking bowling group they are prone to conceding runs at a brisk clip.

5 key players: Warner, Smith, Finch, Starc, Cummins

Australia will need plenty of this from David Warner

India

Virat Kohli

Likely line-up:

1 - Rohit Sharma

2 - Shikhar Dhawan

3 - Virat Kohli

4 - Ajinkya Rahane

5 - Manish Pandey

6 - MS Dohni

7 - Hardik Pandya

8 - Axar Patel

9 - Mohammed Shami

10 - Jasprit Bumrah

11 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar

This is an exciting Indian line up capable of going deep into the tournament. Slightly lacking in power compared to England however with the world’s best ODI batsman you can never rule them out. Shami, Kumar, Bumrah round out probably the best limited-overs pace bowling line up going around currently. Pitches should suit this Indian team, especially as the tournament progresses. Don’t be surprised if Virat Kohli and his men get to make the trip to Lord's for next year’s CWC final.

5 key players: Kohli, Sharma, Bumrah, Dhoni, Pandya

New Zealand

Kane Williamson

Likely line up:

1 - Guptill

2 - Munro/Worker

3 - Williamson

4 - Taylor

5 - Latham

6 - Nicholls/Chapman

7 - De Grandhomme

8 - Santner

9 - Southee/Henry

10 - Ferguson/Milne/Sodhi

11 - Boult

There is a lot to like about the Kiwis line up going into the 2019 World Cup. They are well balanced with a nice mix of power and finesse throughout the batting line up. The bowling line-up offers plenty of variety with Sodhi able to come in as a second spin option if conditions suit him.

However, a big plus on the Blackcaps' side is they have proven they can go toe to toe with this England line up in English conditions. The 5 match ODI series between the two nations in 2015 in England, as well as the ODI series in NZ earlier this year, proved New Zealand is more than capable of scoring 350+ with ease. Although England won each series 3-2 the Blackcaps showed that if they click this English team even playing their best cricket might not be able to stop them.

5 key players: Guptill, Taylor, Williamson, De Grandhomme, Boult