The Biggest Festival Of Cricket

With the election fever now dying out, there is something the whole country is eagerly looking forward to. As the biggest festival of world cricket returns to our television screens expectations will be high and so will be the pressure on each team to deliver. There is and never will be a better stage to be immortalised in cricketing history than the ICC Cricket World Cup, As ten countries put forward fifteen of there most elite cricketing talents to fight it out on the world stage.

With the tournament taking place in the UK ( England and Wales), dont be surprised if the home team of England march on toward their maiden World Cup trophy. Being the best ODI team according to the ICC rankings certainly makes them strong favourites to go the distance.

Another team that will be fancing their chances to finally win a major ICC tournament will be South Africa. Even with the retirement of their talisman AB Devilliers the South African team is well balanced and with a deadly pace attack reinforced by their spinner in cheif Imran tahir and hard hitting yet Classy batsmen, Faf Du Plesis's South Africans will be the team to beat this summer.

It would be unfair if we don't mention Australia as one of the favourites. Having gone through a rough patch after their 2015 victory, the return of David Warner and Steve Smith might bring back the intimidating and once feared Australian side we know. The most succesful side in the world cup would hope and want to prove themselves and mount a good title defence

Carrying the hopes of 1.2 billion people will be Kohli led India, strong favourites to win every time the Blues step on the pitch this time will be no different. India would look to go two steps further and better the last world cups semi final finish. Having lost the Champions Throphy to Pakistan in the finals, Virat and his men will be out on a mission to decimate any team that stands in front of them. This team has a good mix of youth and experience, however will be under a lot of pressure to deliver a repeat of 2011.

India vs Pakistan is one the most awaited and heated cricket matches there is and this time is no different, with recent political tensions between the neighbours it will be interesting to see who gets the bragging rights this time.

Having won the Champions trophy final by defeating none other than team India, Pakistan's confidence will be high as they look to break the embarrasing losing streak they have against India. However with poor recent form the chances of winning the trophy look bleak.

T20 giants West Indies and the Kane Williamson led New Zealand would join Sri Lanka, in trying to get their acts together and come up with a surprise win over the favourites. A few great indiviual performances and some luck could see these sides come out as champions

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will come in as the weaker sides of the tournament, however will be expected to come up with a few shock results and upsets to halt the march of a Cricketing Giant toward the Glorius Cup.

In the end Heroes and Villains will be made. We will see future stars of the game having their first crack at the world stage and some experienced players having one last hurrah at the trophy. One things for sure Nations will be united as people forget about religion, local rivalries and differences. Tears and Celebration will go hand in hand as the Festival of cricket goes on.