Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath has selected his top four teams for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The tournament is set to take place from October this year.
“It won’t come as a surprise that I’m putting Australia in that top four. India, playing in their own conditions, England with their great cricket, and Pakistan are also strong contenders. These are the best four teams,” said McGrath in an interview with The Times of India.
Interestingly, McGrath’s selection closely resembles former England captain Eoin Morgan’s picks. In an interaction with WION, Morgan expressed confidence that India and England would definitely be among the top four teams in the ODI World Cup. He also mentioned that Australia and Pakistan have a good chance of lifting the prestigious ICC trophy.
A total of 48 matches will be played at ten selected venues in the ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled between October 5 and November 19. The tournament is set to kick off with a match between last time’s finalists, England and New Zealand.
McGrath’s advice for Jasprit Bumrah:
The veteran Australian pacer also had some advice for Jasprit Bumrah, who is making a comeback to the Indian team in the upcoming Ireland series and is expected to play in the ODI World Cup. McGrath, a big fan of Bumrah, emphasized that the fast bowler may need to prioritize the formats of the game he wants to play. Bumrah’s unique bowling action can put a lot of strain on his body, especially with no off-season due to the IPL and a packed international schedule. It may be harder for him to play all three formats.
Bumrah’s comeback will be seen in the three-match T20 series against Ireland, starting on August 18. This will be the first series for the Indian pace battery after a long injury lay-off.