ICC World Cup 2019: Nasser Hussain predicts the finalists and the eventual winner

The semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup are all set to take place after some jaw-dropping action in the main round. The first match is scheduled to be played on July 9 between India and New Zealand at the Old Trafford in Manchester followed by the one between England and Australia on July 11 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. Both encounters have the ingredients to be absolute crackers.

Prior to the knock-out games, Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, put forth his predictions. First, he said that the Men in Blue are likely to take down the Black Caps. He backed his comments, saying that the Kiwis don’t have enough in-form batsmen to chase down whatever India sets for them.

Nasser Hussain makes his pick

“India are just too strong. They will always get a score. New Zealand have been under-par and a bit lucky to be there. Are there enough New Zealand batsmen in form to be able to chase down whatever India score? I don’t think so,” Hussain was quoted as saying in Daily Mail.

Secondly, he said that England love playing at the Edgbaston and the Three Lions will come out trumps versus the Aussies. Aaron Finch and Co beat the Brits at the Lord’s by 64 runs and Hussain reckons that it was because their bowlers got more help from the deck at the iconic venue.

“England will be pleased they are playing Australia away from Lord’s because as we saw in the group stages Lord’s suits the Aussies and the way they play. Their swing bowlers would have been more dangerous at Lord’s than Edgbaston. England love playing at Edgbaston and I will go for them. Just,” he added.

About the all-important final on July 14 at the Lord’s, Hussain reckons that Eoin Morgan and Co are the most likely winners. He feels that while India has a few chinks in their armour, England has none. In the league stage, the hosts beat India by 31 runs at the Edgbaston.

“If England beat India twice they will be worthy winners of this World Cup and nobody could argue. There are some great players in this India side but there are still a few holes and I don’t see any holes in the England team. I’m going for England. Just,” Hussain stated.