ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 SWOT Analysis – How the 10 teams measure up

Cricket World Cup is the greatest competition of all in the sport. This edition is touted to be the most challenging, which makes the tournament all the more engrossing.

Which side will lift the coveted gold trophy at the Lord’s in London on July 14? You can’t say for sure.

Here’s an analysis of the teams for this edition, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019:

Afghanistan

Strength: Fearless, never-say-never attitude

Weakness: Batting could be an issue with high scoring games on the cards

Opportunity: Rashid Khan is an obvious spinner to thrive

Threat: Pressure situations, big-team games can cause trouble

Australia

Strength: Mental toughness and quality players in the mix

Weakness: New leadership can rankle the Aussie

Opportunity: Smith, Warner spurred on by the sandpaper gate can be a good thing

Threat: Changes in combination can disturb the side’s balance

Who do you think will be in this year's final on July 14th? pic.twitter.com/6QBXilcbcb

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 26, 2019

Bangladesh

Strength: Batting core intact from the last editions

Weakness: Lack of ability to get breakthroughs with the ball

Opportunity: Quarterfinalists of 2015 edition can repeat heroics

Threat: Reliance on spin could prove costly in England

England

Strength: Power-packed batting line-up with great depth

Weakness: Bowling doesn’t inspire confidence

Opportunity: Young quick – Archer and Wood – can be the X-factors

Threat: The failure of batting could do them

The hosts ? pic.twitter.com/VxdztUBhmH

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 26, 2019

India

Strength: Most bases covered

Weakness: Middle-order muddle

Opportunity: Bowlers have time to regain form

Threat: Form, lack of confidence of Kuldeep Yadav

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New Zealand

Strength: Tried and tested combination

Weakness: Reliance on the middle-order duo of Taylor and Williamson

Opportunity: Old dogs can make the experience count

Threat: Lack of bowling options for slow surface

Pakistan

Strength: Encouraging showing by top-3

Weakness: Struggle for wickets in recent outings

Opportunity: Old horse Malik can be a finisher Pakistan needs

Threat: Too much chopping and changing in the bowling department

 South Africa

Strength: A balanced squad with options for all positions

Weakness: Finishing, pressure-handling ability of middle & lower-order

Opportunity: Faf leadership can propel them to something extraordinary

Threat: Premier bowlers returning from injuries

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Team-by-team guide to all 10 sides

 Sri Lanka

Strength: Decent performers in Mathews & Malinga in the ranks

Weakness: A new leadership can pull them back

Opportunity: Promising batsmen and seasoned bowlers a striking mix

Threat: Bizzare team selection, leaving out Chandimal, Tharanga & Dananjaya irrational

Windies

Strength: Big match players in Gayle and Russell

Weakness: Absence of a quality spinner

Opportunity: Plenty of firepower in the middle-order in the form of Hetmyer and Pooran

Threat: Finding the right combination could take time

The official #CWC19 warm-up fixtures start TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/jziicpepUZ

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 23, 2019