World Cup 2019: Michael Vaughan predicts semi-final line-ups

Even a few days ago, English cricket experts were busy expressing their disappointment over the England cricket team’s two back-to-back defeats in the Cricket World Cup 2019. But after the hosts registered a much-needed win over India at Edgbaston on Sunday, they have switched focus to forecasting the possible semi-final line-up of the tournament.

Defending champions Australia have already made the semi-finals and are sitting happily at the top of the table with 14 points from eight games. The three other berths are up for the grabs and India, New Zealand and England are closest to fill those. While India with 11 points and two matches to go are the closest to make the last four, New Zealand and England still have their task cut out as they will face each other in their final league match in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

New Zealand’s win could still give some opening to Pakistan and also Bangladesh provided they beat India on Tuesday. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has picked his four semi-finalists and apart from Australia, the other three for him are India, England and New Zealand in that order.

The 44-year-old predicted after the England-India match that while Australia and New Zealand play each other in the first semi-final at Old Trafford on July 9, India will take on England yet again at Edgbaston on July 11 in the second semi-final.

After yesterday’s result it looks it me like the Semis could be … Australia v NZ @ OT & England v India @ Edgbaston !!!!! #CWC19

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 1, 2019

The final of the World Cup will be played at Lord’s on July 14. The knock-out games have one reserve day.

Such a semi-final line-up means while Australia will finish at No.1, New Zealand will be ending up at No.4. India and England will be at No.2 and 3, respectively. Though Pakistan and Bangladesh still have outside chances of making the semi-finals, but their net run-rates (NRRs) are in the negatives and it might not be possible for them to rectify them in one remaining game. The top four teams, on the other hand, have their NRRs in the positive.

If they make it, England will reach first semis since 1992

If England succeed in making the semi-finals, it will be after 27 years that they will be reaching the top four (after 1992). For India, it will be the third semi-final on the trot after 2011 and 2015 while for both Australia and New Zealand, it will be their record eighth semi-final.