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

#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.