Past editions of the Cricket World Cup have had distinct themes. The headlines following the last tournament were of maiden success for a huge nation in England.
The competitions between 1999 and 2007 signified unprecedented domination by Australia. And in 2011 India’s win represented a brief halt to Australia’s strong grip on the ICC World Cup.
There is a wide range of potential narratives and worldwide headlines that could originate from the 2023 edition of cricket’s biggest event. But what are the most likely, based on the nations that are strongly backed to achieve glory in India this year?
England back-to-back champions
England finally won their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup in the preceding offering to this year’s competition. Securing back-to-back success this year would be hugely significant considering only Australia has managed such a feat in the past 40 years. In the cricket World Cup 2023 winner odds, England are offered at +333 to emerge as champions again.
Their squad remains immensely strong throughout. They have a strong leader in Jos Buttler who also doubles up as a versatile option on the field as a wicket-keeper-batsman.
England’s hero of 2019 however is undoubtedly their starman. Ben Stokes will play his final 50-overs World Cup in the Indian sub-continent this year. It would be remarkable if he could be the pioneer behind two straight successes, and allow himself to bow out of the format in perfect fashion.
Aside from the more obvious narratives, it would be a huge story for England to retain their title on Indian soil. India won at Lords back in 1983, and the Three Lions are yet to condemn their huge rivals to a similar fate.
India could end their World Cup drought
With England and India being considered the pre-tournament favorites across a majority of the cricketing world, it is most likely that the headline narratives that emerge from the competition will relate to either or both of the nations.
The two could perhaps even face off in the overall final where huge rewards will be up for grabs. England could earn an incredible double success, while India could end their drought which has run since 2011.
Despite being the biggest nation in the world of cricket alongside Australia, India has not reached the final since their home success three tournaments ago. Their last victory ended a drought of 28 years and they will be keen to end the current one in a much shorter period of time.
They will of course host this year’s edition of the World Cup and they are +175 favorites, which suggests an end to India’s drought is more likely than England’s consecutive success. They boast an abundance of legendary batsmen such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – who is also a vital leader within their ranks.
The Indian bowlers will of course also be able to utilise the home conditions to make it tough for opposition batsmen. They have a wide range of fast bowlers with stunning techniques including Jasprit Bumrah, but none of them should be singled out, as all of India’s options are genuinely top-level.
There is a huge chance that either India or England will secure victory in this year’s ICC World Cup. Australia seems to have a knack for always reaching the latter stages, but the pair should have enough to down the record champions.
It realistically should be between India and England for who claims the headlines and ultimately writes the narratives that emerge from the conclusion of this year’s grand final in India.