In this article, I look at the best elevens that could be fielded by six teams. These are the sides most likely to get past the group stage and reach the semi-finals.
The Best XI of Australia
In my view, the following eleven players are likely to give Australia the best chance of retaining the World Cup:
· Finch
· Warner
· Maxwell
· David
· Marsh
· Wade
· Stoinis
· Starc
· Cummins
· Hazlewood
· Zampa
An in-form Tim David keeps Smith out of Australia’s T20I squad. Though Maxwell has been in poor batting form this year, his inclusion gives Australia an additional spin bowling option. With every other batter in good rhythm, Australia are clearly the team to beat.
The Best XI of England
The following England players should walk into their country’s playing eleven:
· Buttler
· Hales
· Malan
· Stokes
· Livingstone
· Moeen
· Woakes
· Curran
· Jordan
· Wood
· Topley
On paper, at least, this is one of the most balanced sides. The batting is strong and eight players can bowl. Stokes is yet to find his form but, as the adage goes, class is permanent. England has two back up fast bowlers in Jordan and Willey. They could also opt to drop Curran or Jordan and use Rashid as a second frontline spin bowler.
The Best XI of India
India will benefit most by fielding the following eleven:
· Rahul
· Sharma
· Kohli
· Yadav
· Hardik Pandya
· Karthik
· Axar Patel
· Chahal
· Shami
· Arshdeep
· Harshal
The batting is exceptional, though there are a few question marks about the efficacy of the bowling unit. I have not considered Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I believe that, with his lack of speed, he has limited value on Australian wickets. Deepak Chahar, who could have been a better choice, is not in the squad of 15.
The Best XI of New Zealand
New Zealand could feature most of the players who did well in the recent tri-series with Pakistan and Bangladesh:
· Allen
· Conway
· Williamson
· Phillips
· Chapman
· Neesham
· Bracewell
· Sodhi
· Southee
· Boult
· Milne
There’s not much to choose between Tickner and Milne. However, the latter wins my vote for his greater experience. However, Sodhi could make way for Tickner, if the Kiwis decide to go with four front-line fast bowlers. I have based my selections purely on the showing of the players in the recent tri-series versus Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Best XI of Pakistan
Pakistan should stick with the eleven that won the recent tri-series final versus New Zealand:
· Babar Azam
· Rizwan
· Masood
· Shadab Khan
· Nawaz
· Haider Ali
· Asif Ali
· Iftekhar Ahmed
· Rauf
· Afridi
· Shah
The bowling has explosive potential while the batting is over-reliant on a few players. Haris Rauf is on the top of his game. However, Shaheen Afridi, who is returning to the game after a hiatus, could be a little rusty. The middle order, Pakistan’s Achilles heel, did come good in the tri-series final. How they play against India and South Africa in the group games will be key to the team’s fortunes.
The Best XI of South Africa
South Africa did reasonably well on the recent tour of India. I believe that they would be best served by fielding these players:
· De Kock
· Roussouw
· Klaasen
· Miller
· Hendricks
· Markram
· Parnell
· Maharaj
· Rabada
· Nortje
· Ngidi
I have left out Bavuma whose recent form has been woeful. This is a fairly balanced squad, whose only worry could be in the sixth bowling option. Shamsi could come in if there’s any assistance for spin.
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