Former England captain Nasser Hussain has made his predictions for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-finals and is backing India and England to progress.
India won seven of their eight completed league stage matches to top the points table ahead of defending champions Australia, hosts England and fourth-placed New Zealand.
India is currently locking horns with New Zealand in the first of the two semi-finals at Old Trafford and Australia will face England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
When asked who will advance to Sunday’s final at Lord’s, Hussain told the Daily Mail: “India are just too strong.
“They will always get a score. New Zealand have been under-par and a bit lucky to be there.
“Are there enough New Zealand batsmen in form to be able to chase down whatever India score? I don’t think so.
“England will be pleased they are playing Australia away from Lord’s because as we saw in the group stages Lord’s suits the Aussies and the way they play.
Semi-final 1️⃣ – India v New Zealand
Winner: ________Semifinal 2️⃣ – Australia v England
Winner: ________Final: SF1 winner v SF2 winner
Champion: ________ 🏆Fill in the blanks 😉 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/iq0bkIZYgs
— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2019
“Their swing bowlers would have been more dangerous at Lord’s than Edgbaston. England loves playing at Edgbaston and I will go for them. Just.”
Hussain also backed England to beat India in the final, with Eoin Morgan’s side already securing one victory over their rivals in the group stage. He added: “If England beat India twice they will be worthy winners of this World Cup and nobody could argue.
“There are some great players in this India side but there are still a few holes and I don’t see any holes in the England team. I’m going for England. Just.”
