The eyes of the cricket world will be on India later this year as the 13th edition of the Men’s World Cup tournament is staged.
Ten teams will participate in the prestigious event, which is expected to run from October 5 to November 19.
Read on as we look at which teams will be competing, the latest odds and tournament format. We also assess which team could emerge victorious.
Cricket World Cup 2023: Teams
The tournament will feature ten teams, with the primary route for qualification the 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
Hosts India will be joined by Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and Pakistan. They will be joined by South Africa or Ireland.
A further two spots are up for grabs by a qualification tournament scheduled to be staged in Zimbabwe from June 18 – July 9.
Cricket World Cup 2023: Odds
With 48 matches scheduled to be played during the World Cup, sports bettors will have tons of betting opportunities available to them.
A quick look at the latest odds with the bookmaker featured in this Betfinal review highlight there is little to choose between the most fancied teams.
- India – 5/2
- England – 11/4
- Australia – 9/2
- Pakistan – 7/1
- New Zealand – 8/1
- South Africa – 10/1
- West Indies 14/1
- Sri Lanka – 33/1
- Bangladesh – 33/1
- Bar – 100/1
Cricket World Cup 2023: Format
Each team will play the other nine teams once in the opening group stage for a total of 45 matches. The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.
The last four ties will feature a traditional 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3 format, with the winners of each game contesting the final in Ahmedabad.
Cricket World Cup 2023: Preview
The Cricket World Cup has been by six different teams, with Australia’s tally of five titles putting them at the top of the standings.
India and West Indies are the only other multiple winners, with each nation winning the World Cup on two previous occasions. England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan complete the roll of honour.
The hosts will fancy their chances of winning the World Cup on home soil, but may find it tough to cope with the weight of expectation.
England could be tough to beat having won the T20 World Cup last year, although a congested fixtures schedule could leave their players feeling the strain.
Many punters will view Australia as the value bet given their recent record in this tournament. They lifted the trophy in 2003, 2007 and 2015 and reached the semi-finals in 2019.
They will be desperate to bounce back from their dismal showing at the T20 World Cup and could be dangerous if everything clicks into place in India.
New Zealand also have the potential to go a long way as they bid to banish the memories of their heart-breaking defeat against England in the 2019 final.
Ben Stokes’ heroics proved to be the difference on that occasion, although a controversial error by the umpire also helped England’s cause.
Pakistan could be another team worth watching as they attempt to win the World Cup for the first time since 1992.
Playing in Asia may prove to be an advantage and it would be foolish to underestimate their chances of ending their 31-year wait for a second World Cup success.
Also Read:
- IND vs ENG: Jadeja, Sundar, Gill Hundreds Help India Earn Dramatic Draw Against England in 4th Test
- “If There Are No Bilateral Matches, Why Play in Multination Events?”: Azharuddin on India-Pakistan Asia Cup Clash
- Men’s Asia Cup 2025 To Be Held In UAE; ACC
- Ben Stokes Creates History With 11,000 International Runs And Rare 7,000 Runs-200 Wickets Test Feat
