NEW DELHI: With the match schedule nonetheless below wraps and the principle title contenders preoccupied with Take a look at cricket, there’s a distinct lack of buzz across the 50-overs World Cup 5 months out from its anticipated begin in October. The governing Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has mentioned the dates and venues for the 13th version of the showpiece match can be out in “due course” and the host Indian board maintains the identical. “The dialogue with the ICC is occurring and we’ll quickly announce the dates and venues,” a senior official on the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) mentioned. That might come solely after the Indian Premier League (IPL) concludes on Might 28, in line with media experiences in India.
Whereas the lack of awareness, which is uncommon for a serious sporting occasion, is likely to be annoying for followers planning to journey to India it’s unlikely to impression too match on the preparations of the eight groups already certified. England, who maintain each white-ball World Cups, are the dominant pressure in short-format cricket even when their fast focus is on reclaiming the Ashes from Australia within the check collection starting subsequent month. Jofra Archer is a doubt for that collection due to a nagging elbow damage and white-ball captain Jos Buttler might be hoping the speedster is again to full health earlier than the World Cup.
The reigning champions have additionally left the door open for Ben Stokes to return to the one-day fold if the all-rounder, the hero of the 2019 remaining, reconsiders his shock ODI retirement. England’s laboured 2-1 ODI collection win in Bangladesh in March was adopted by a shock 3-Zero submission within the Twenty20 leg of that tour, which can have erased any hint of complacency. India received the World Cup final time they hosted the match in 2011 however Rohit Sharma’s facet would not have a settled look. Tempo spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been sidelined since September final 12 months with a again damage and is lacking the IPL in addition to subsequent month’s World Take a look at Championship (WTC) remaining towards Australia. Stumper-batsman Rishabh Pant is prone to miss the World Cup as he continues to get better from a number of accidents sustained in a horrific automobile crash final December.
Acquainted circumstances: 5-time champions Australia are additionally preoccupied with the WTC remaining on the Oval, which might be adopted shortly by the Ashes. Pat Cummins and his males toured India earlier this 12 months, shedding the check collection however prevailing within the one-dayers. With 14 Australian cricketers, together with a number of frontline gamers, concerned within the IPL, not less than the circumstances will look acquainted after they return for the World Cup. Among the many different hopefuls, New Zealand, who misplaced the 2019 remaining on boundary rely, are nearly sure to be with out Kane Williamson after the skipper suffered a critical knee damage within the ongoing IPL.
Williamson’s absence would make it the primary ODI World Cup the place not a single staff returns with the identical captain as they’d within the earlier version. Whereas their greatest batsman should journey as a staff mentor, Tom Latham is prone to lead New Zealand forward of check skipper Tim Southee. “That’s one thing that also must be labored out,” coach Gary Stead mentioned on Tuesday. “Tim’s captain within the check staff as effectively, however Tom’s had loads of white-ball expertise for us prior to now.”
Former champions Pakistan have grounds for optimism after their prime order and tempo assault fired them to a 4-1 collection victory over a weakened New Zealand earlier this month. Pakistan briefly held the primary ODI rating through the collection and skipper Babar Azam at the moment leads the batting rankings with staff mates Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq additionally within the prime 4. “Successful the collection is nice and so is reaching primary rating that has set us in an excellent place for the World Cup,” Babar mentioned. South Africa claimed the final direct qualification spot however former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka will compete with eight different groups for the remaining two slots for the match in India.