ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Power Rankings 4 months from the tournament

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is now less than 100 days away. Throughout the last year, team dynamics have changed, players have retired, and young players have emerged as crucial weapons to their team's title hopes. These factors don't always match up with the current rankings in ODI cricket, and as a result, this in-depth look at each squad will provide valuable insight.

In this article, teams are ranked in terms of who are favourites to win cricket's most prestigious event. The key players for each team are also analysed and predictions are made on how they will have an impact on the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

#10 Afghanistan

Key Players: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shahzad

Two key players that Afghanistan need to perform in order for them to have a shot at the World Cup are Rashid Khan and Mohammad Shahzad. Both of these players are match winners in their own right. Khan has shown, particularly in the T20 format of the game, just how economical he can be with the ball and how that run rate pressure can turn quickly into wickets for him. Shahzad is an exciting player to watch and he should prove his worth at bowling attacks, particularly in the powerplay. If he can deliver, it will lay a good platform for the World Cup's newest country, and could lead them to some big upsets.

Keys to success: Apply pressure and use their underdog tag to their advantage.

Applying pressure and using their underdog status will be key to Afghanistan's success at this World Cup. With a bowling attack consisting of two experienced spinners, this is not out of the realms of possibility. Mohammad Nabi and Khan are both masters of their craft in run restriction in T20 cricket, and there is no reason why they cannot transfer this to 50-over cricket. Helping the Afghanistan cause is the fact both these bowlers bowl better when batsman try to attack them. This will be a high scoring World Cup, meaning teams won't be able to see off these players in 20 overs for only 60 runs and still score a good enough total. Teams will be expecting to beat them, but if they can play some solid cricket and apply scoreboard pressure, teams may be quick to crumble against this exciting team.

#9 Bangladesh

Key Players: Tamim Iqbal, Mustafizur Rahman

Tamim Igbal and Mustafizur Rahman both hold the key to Bangladesh being able to repeat their heroics at the last Cricket World Cup. Iqbal has been a mainstay at the top of the order for a long time now. He will be required to get the Tigers off to a solid start if they are to launch later in the innings and produce competitive scores on flat English wickets. Rahman’s bowling, particularly at the end of an innings will be crucial to Bangladesh either successfully closing out games, of restricting teams to chase-able scores.

Keys to success: Don’t try to do too much, know their limits, and a nothing to lose attitude.

Despite their quarterfinal spot at the last World Cup, Bangladesh will still come into England as huge underdogs. Knowing their limits and backing themselves will be key to their success. If they understand that they have the players to genuinely compete in every match, they can have success. For example, instead of going all out to set 330 and getting rolled for 220, rather set out to score 280 and back their young exciting bowling attack to apply scoreboard pressure and defend.

#8 Sri Lanka

Key Players: Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal

Perera showed just recently against the Blackcaps just what damage he can do. Whilst his hundred was in vain on that occasion, it's not out of the equation to think an innings of that calibre could win Sri Lanka games against any opposition in this year's World Cup. Lakmal is a senior member of the Sri Lankan pace attack. They may have been below par in recent times, but this man holds the key to turning this around and preventing teams scoring 350+ against them. Hitting a hard length and bowling to fields will be key in this area.

Keys to success: Stable platform and death bowling

Far too many early batting collapses have hampered Sri Lanka's ability to produce big scores in recent years. If they can produce a solid base, even at the expense of a fast run rate, it could give them the ability to make some noise at the World Cup. Death bowling also holds the key. Against New Zealand in their recent series, they were horrible at the death. In high scoring matches in the UK, any team who can't go the distance till the death will be out of the tournament very quickly.

#7 Pakistan

Key players: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir

Fakhar Zaman has been an absolute gem for Pakistan since bursting onto the scene a few years ago. He averages 53 in ODI cricket and his contributions at the top of the order will be key to Pakistan getting off to consistent and solid starts. Mohammad Amir is a huge talent and has proven before that he can swing the ball and rip through teams in English conditions. In a format where teams like to push the pace early, Amir is going to be presented with opportunities to take bags of wickets. This could be the catalyst to Pakistan advancing to the semifinals or finals of this World Cup.

Keys to success: Finishing off games and bringing the heat.

Finishing off games is always an issue for Pakistan. It is the only reason they aren’t ranked higher on this list. They need to get over their inability to win games at the death if they want to be a real challenger for this World Cup. Bringing their natural aggression is also key. Pakistan needs to bring the fire that so often unsettles their opposition and gets themselves playing at another level.

#6 West Indies

Key Players: Chris Gayle, Jason Holder

What more can you say about Chris Gayle other than ‘Universe Boss’. Approaching his last World Cup, Gayle will be a key player if the West Indies are to stop underachieving at the longest white ball format. Jason Holder is somewhat of a saviour of West Indies cricket. Ever since Holder took on the captaincy at such a young age, he has improved with both bat and ball. His leadership, along with his heavy length bowling, and powerful ball striking holds the key to West Indies success at the World Cup.

Keys to Success: Believe they are a competitor, middle order batting and bowling.

I was present at the last World Cup playoff the West Indies played in, and it wasn’t pretty. They conceded 380 against a rampant New Zealand side and never fired a shot in return. They lacked the belief that they could win. This needs to change. They have enough talent and experience, that all they need is belief and a desire to win and they could be a dangerous prospect. Middle order batting and bowling will also be key. Far too often, the Windies have taken early wickets or got off to a flyer, only to let the opposition catch up through the middle stages and eventually win the game.

#5 Australia

Key Players: Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc

As controversial as Steve Smith is, there is no denying that he is a key cog in the Australian batting line up. Smith is Mr Consistent and is one of the best batsmen in the world at rotating the strike through the middle overs. Australia will rely on their power hitters batting around Smith in order to produce match-winning scores. Mitchell Starc knocking over Brendan Mccullum in the 2015 World Cup final is as much of a match-winning effort as anything. Starc will be required at each stage of an innings for Australia. Swing with the new ball, and reverse swing with the old ball. If Starc can recapture his old form, Australia will be far more dangerous than their 5th ranking suggests.

Keys to success: Playing as a unit, taking wickets with the new ball.

It's no secret that Australia has lost its aura following the ball tampering incident. If they are to win the World Cup, they need to get this back, at least the majority of it. That hard-nosed but fair play Australian culture arguably won them as many matches as the likes of McGrath, Ponting and Gilchrist. This current side needs to develop this again, and quickly. Taking wickets with the new ball will also be key. Australia doesn't often lose games when they get on top early. If Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins can take wickets up top, Australia will be a very tough side to beat.

#4 New Zealand

Key Players: Martin Guptill, Trent Boult

Martin Guptil is the key to New Zealand posting big totals. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the glue, but if the Blackcaps are already 2 for nothing, a score of 330 is already out the window. Guptill adding to his 16 ODI hundreds is the key to NZ consistently producing or chasing match-winning totals. Trent Boult can single handily win New Zealand a match because when the ball swings, he is arguably the most dangerous bowler in world cricket. However, how he bowls if the ball is not swinging, will also go a long way to determining the Kiwis final positioning on the ladder.

Keys to success: Last 10 overs batting, taking wickets with the new ball.

Since the last World Cup New Zealand has struggled to finish off innings, with their power hitting going amiss. In a high scoring World Cup like in England, this will spell disaster for the Kiwis. De Grandhomme, Neesham and Santner will be tasked with giving NZ the finish to an innings that will give them a chance in the tournament. New ball wickets will also be crucial. New Zealand lacks quality death bowlers, and as such will need to rely on early wickets to be able to restrict teams. Boult, Henry and Ferguson will be leading the charge in this area.

#3 South Africa

Key Players: Quinton De Kock, Kagiso Rabada

Quinton De Kock blasting the ball into the stands and Kagiso Rabada blasting out batsmen could be a common theme this World Cup, and it will need to be if they are to lift their tag as perennial World Cup chokers. De Kock has established himself as one of the premier ODI batsmen in the world, combining aggression with elegance. Rabada also exerts aggression and pace combined with accuracy and patience.

Keys to success: Mentally strong (forget the curse), taking advantage of their batting line up.

It's no secret that the World Cup presents more of a mental challenge for the Proteas than any other nation. This time again they will have one of the best teams on paper in the tournament. If they can control the mental aspect of their campaign, it will go a long way towards winning the tournament. Taking advantage of their batting is also key. South Africa also have a perfectly balanced batting line up. The aggression of De Kock and Miller, combined with the finesse of Amla, Du Plessis and others present a formidable task for any bowling attack.

#2 England

Key Players: Joe Root, Adil Rashid

One of the least talked about players since Englands ODI revolution, Joe Root will be key to England's success as they chase their elusive first title. With hitters such as Roy, Hales, Morgan, Buttler and Ali in the side, the stability and rhythm that Root brings to England's batting will be vital to the consistency of the star-studded batting line up throughout the campaign. Adil Rashid also looms large as a key player. English pitches are taking more turn now than ever. If there's any bowler that can rip through a batting line up when there is turn, it's Rashid. A big match winning bowling spell is more than possible if he can land his wrong’un and bowl with consistency.

Keys to success: Aggression with the bat, smart options with the ball

More than any other team, England have the ability to blow a team away with the bat. They back themselves to score 350+ with ease especially in their home conditions. It's this mindset that could hold the key to their maiden World Cup victory. With so much firepower in their batting, all England's bowling attack needs to do is be smart. Rather than try to be heroes, if they are capable of stringing together dot balls, and restricting batsmen to hitting one side of the ground to their field that’s set, a maiden title is certainly not out of the question.

#1 India

Key Players: Virat Kohli & MS Dhoni

It goes without saying that MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli will be key if India is to win the 2019 Cricket World cup. They fit into India's analogy that they can chase any score that they are set. When chasing, Dhoni and Kohli have two of the top five highest averages in ODI history. These two players give India a sense of confidence, the belief that no game is out of reach regardless of the situation. It's because of these two that India sit as big favourites coming into this year's World Cup

Keys to success: Don’t be complacent & back themselves to set scores as well as chase scores.

India knows they are the team to beat, and this can sometimes be dangerous. One day cricket is a fickle format, and staying grounded could be key to India winning this years tournament. This leads to the second key for an Indian victory. That is the confidence to set as well as chase scores. One thing that could hamper India's efforts is their addiction to chasing targets. Often they will overlook conditions in favour of choosing their preferred method of winning games. Towards the end of the tournament on dry, turning English wickets, setting scores rather than chasing could be the best option for the team winning the toss. Provided India aren’t scared to set a total, they are firm favourites to take home the trophy.