Brendon McCullum sees England, India, Australia in World Cup’s semi finals

WELLINGTON:The former New Zealand   captain Brendon McCullum has  predicted   that hosts England, India and defending champions Australia  will   reach the semi-finals of the  World Cup 2019. However, he left the fourth spot open for teams with a better net run rate. 

According to the former cricketer the fight for the last spot will be between New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, and Pakistan, adding that Afghanistan will win only two matches in their maiden 50-over World Cup beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

He said that four teams will fight out the 4th qualifying spot and net run rate will decide who progresses. Rain and luck will likely play a part as well.

McCullum backed favourites England to win 8 matches out of 9 league matches predicting only one loss when they face Australia against whom they lost the warm-up match by 12 runs. As far as Virat Kohli-led India are concerned, he feels only England can beat them. Australia’s three loses will come against West Indies, India and Pakistan