ICC World Cup 2019

The ICC World Cup is the championship of one-day international cricket with the next edition to be played in England and Wales from May 30 until June 14, 2019. The ICC World Cup is a massive betting event, with punters in India, Australia and England particularly prevalent and turning over plenty of money during the six weeks it runs for.

Australia have been a powerhouse at the ICC World Cup with five titles, including the memorable run of three titles in a row in 1999, 2003 and 2007 when their team was stacked with all-time greats such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and the Waugh brothers Steve and Mark.

However, India and England have become dominant forces in both short forms of cricket, and with this year’s tournament played in England and Wales, this may finally be the year England breaks through for a title. The bookies concur and England will head into the tournament starting in late May as the clear favourites.

One-day cricket: the old faithful

With the explosion of Twenty20 cricket globally in recent years, interest seems to have waned somewhat in the 50-over-a-side game, but this tournament may well spark a resurgence as it returns to England and Wales with the home side in the mix.

ODIs still reign supreme as the best proving ground for potential Test players, with batsman forced to extend their attention spans from T20 and front-line bowlers asked to send down 10 overs rather than the four they bowl in T20.

The influence of T20 can be seen, though, in the massive scores being compiled in some one-day international matches. A run a ball for a batsman has become the new normal, with team totals of 300-plus much more common than they were even 10 years ago.

With the small grounds in England and Wales, expect big scores this time around.

Quick guide to the 2019 World Cup in England

Dates: May 30-July 14, 2019

First match: England v South Africa, Thursday, May 30, The Oval, London.

Defending champions: Australia defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the 2015 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. New Zealand 183 (45 overs), Australia 3-186 (33.1 overs).

The draw: In a departure from previous tournaments, only 10 teams will contest the 2019 World Cup. Each of the 10 teams will play the other nine teams once, for a total of 45 preliminary matches. The top four teams will contest the semi-finals, with the winners of those matches to contest the final at Lord’s on July 14.

The Oval, London

Complete draw for 2019 ICC World Cup

May 30 England v South Africa, The Oval, London
May 31 Windies v Pakistan, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 1 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
June 1 Afghanistan v Australia, County Ground Bristol, Bristol (d/n)
June 2 South Africa v Bangladesh, The Oval, London
June 3 England v Pakistan, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 4 Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
June 5 South Africa v India, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
June 5 Bangladesh v New Zealand, The Oval, London (d/n)
June 6 Australia v Windies, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 7 Pakistan v Sri Lanka, County Ground Bristol, Bristol
June 8 England v Bangladesh, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff
June 8 Afghanistan v New Zealand, County Ground Taunton, Taunton (d/n)
June 9 India v Australia, The Oval, London
June 10 South Africa v Windies, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
June 11 Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, County Ground Bristol, Bristol
June 12 Australia v Pakistan, County Ground Taunton, Taunton
June 13 India v New Zealand, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 14 England v Windies, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
June 15 Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval, London
June 15 South Africa v Afghanistan, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff (d/n)
June 16 India v Pakistan, Old Trafford, Manchester
June 17 Windies v Bangladesh, County Ground Taunton, Taunton
June 18 England v Afghanistan, Old Trafford, Manchester
June 19 New Zealand v South Africa, Edgbaston, Birmingham
June 20 Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 21 England v Sri Lanka, Headingley, Leeds
June 22 India v Afghanistan, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
June 22 Windies v New Zealand, Old Trafford, Manchester (d/n)
June 23 Pakistan v South Africa, Lord’s, London
June 24 Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
June 25 England v Australia, Lord’s, London
June 26 New Zealand v Pakistan, Edgbaston, Birmingham
June 27 Windies v India, Old Trafford, Manchester
June 28 Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street
June 29 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Headingley, Leeds
June 29 New Zealand v Australia, Lord’s, London (d/n)
June 30 England v India, Edgbaston, Birmingham
July 1 Sri Lanka v Windies, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street
July 2 Bangladesh v India, Edgbaston, Birmingham
July 3 England v New Zealand, The Riverside, Chester-le-Street
July 4 Afghanistan v Windies, Headingley, Leeds
July 5 Pakistan v Bangladesh, Lord’s, London (d/n)
July 6 Sri Lanka v India, Headingley, Leeds
July 6 Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester (d/n)
July 9 First semi-final (1st v 4th), Old Trafford, Manchester
July 11 Second semi-final (2nd v 3rd), Edgbaston, Birmingham
July 14 FINAL, Lord’s, London

Results of past ICC World Cups

Year Winners Runners-up Host nation/s
1975 West Indies Australia England
1979 West Indies England England
1983 India West Indies England
1987 Australia England India, Pakistan
1992 Pakistan England Australia, New Zealand
1996 Sri Lanka Australia Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka
1999 Australia Pakistan England, Wales
2003 Australia India South Africa
2007 Australia Sri Lanka West Indies
2011 India Sri Lanka India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
2015 Australia New Zealand Australia, New Zealand
2019 England New Zealand England, Wales
2023 ??? ??? India

World 50-over rankings

(As at May 14, 2019)
1 England
2 India
3 South Africa
4 New Zealand
5 Australia
6 Pakistan
7 Bangladesh
8 West Indies
9 Sri Lanka
10 Afghanistan

Betting on the 2019 ICC World Cup

Most of the bookies recommended by the World Gambling List are already accepting bets on the overall tournament winner. England are favourites ahead of India, while five-time champions Australia are third in line after good recent form in 50-over cricket. As the tournament approaches far more overall markets will become available, such as leading run-scorer for each team and overall, leading wicket-taker and many more tournament-long bets. One of the most popular markets for wagering on the World Cup is the Player of the Tournament. And when the matches start, the best betting sites will offer countless markets on every contest each day.

GUIDE TO BETTING ON CRICKET

WGL Presents

Thursday 30 May – Sunday 14 July 2019

Who will win the 2019 ICC World Cup?

The World Gambling List’s resident cricket expert runs the rule over the 10 teams and assesses where the value lies.

England (Best finish: runners-up 1979, 1987, 1992): The home team is deservedly at the top of betting. England have plenty of firepower in their batting order with the likes of Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes, along with the class of Joe Root. They also have top-class short-form spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. But they will carry a massive weight of expectation and they appear a little short in the betting for our liking. Read our full England team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Big chance but we won’t be jumping on.


India (Best finish: Champions 1983, 2011): The world’s top Test team and also rated in the top couple in ODIs. India have already won this title on English soil in 1983 and, as they do wherever they play, will have huge support. They are led by the superstar batsman Virat Kohli, ably supported by the likes of Rohit Sharma. Not to mention they have the world’s No.1 ODI bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, as well as quality all-rounders such as Ravindra Jadeja. Read our full India team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Get on and enjoy the ride. A team at the peak of its powers and we think the one to beat.


Australia (Best finish: Champions 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015): It’s hard to argue with five titles. The Australians have been ordinary in this form of the game since their crushing win in the 2015 tournament. They were schooled by England in England last year, but have a habit of striking form at the right time and will regain banned duo Steve Smith and David Warner. Read our full Australian team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Not this time, though they go in with a little less expectation than usual.


South Africa (Best finish: semi-finals 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015): Even without retired great AB De Villers, the South Africans can do some damage through the likes of Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. Their record is poor in the event but the conditions will suit. Read our full South Africa team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Could be a crowning achievement for bowling great Dale Steyn and fellow gun paceman Kagiso Rabada. Great chance to make the semis.


New Zealand (Best finish: runners-up 2015): An ultra-competitive outfit with a strong bowling attack and outstanding batsmen such as Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson. Were impressive in the 2015 edition and have probably improved since. Read our full New Zealand team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Genuine contenders and may be the best value bet.


Pakistan (Best finish: Champions 1992): Renowned as the hardest team to line up and nothing should change this time. Have become the top T20 side and if they can carry that over into the longer format they have a bolter’s chance. Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali form the backbone of a solid attack. Read our full Pakistan team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Sure to cause an upset or two, but also likely to be on the wrong end of a loss to one of the minnow nations. Not for mine.


West Indies (Best finish: Champions 1975, 1979): Have enjoyed a real resurgence especially in T20 cricket. They were forced to win through qualifying to make this event. Have not really contended since making the semi-finals in 1996. Read our full West Indies team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Would be a major surprise if the Windies were to make the top four.


Sri Lanka (Best finish: Champions 1996): Built themselves into a powerhouse in the short forms but retirements of a few greats have left the side a little threadbare. Read our full Sri Lanka team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Wait until they unearth another Murali.


Bangladesh (Best finish: quarter-finals 2015): Really established themselves in the top 10 in all three formats and in Mustafizur Rahman have one of the world’s premier ODI pacemen. They also have a top-notch all-rounder in Shakib Al Hasan and were really impressive in Australia and NZ in 2015. Read our full Bangladesh team preview and predictions.

WGL says: No longer easybeats on the world stage but unlikely to make it to the semi-finals.


Afghanistan (Best finish: group stages 2015): The feelgood story of world cricket as they have earned their place at the big table of the sport. They will be everyone’s second team and with the likes of outstanding all-rounders Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, they are certain to provide many highlights. Read our full Afghanistan team preview and predictions.

WGL says: Just lack the batting depth to trouble the big guns but their tricky bowling attack could easily unravel any line-up they face.

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