World Cup 2019 - What we know so far

The first third of the World Cup preliminary matches have now been played. The results have in the main gone to expectation but a few things have emerged that we may not have given due credence to at the start of the tournament.

1. New ball West Indies pace bowling is potent. We have seen them destroy Pakistan in the early rounds bowling them out in 21 overs then following up with a rout of the Australian top order in game ten and having South Africa under real pressure in game 15 before weather intervened.

2. England and India will be thereabouts when the whips are cracking. Both were pre tournament favourites. Despite a high scoring slip up against the enimatic Pakistan when Jason Roy had a forgettable outing in the field, the English look well balanced and on their own wickets look to be the team to beat. India similarly could not have been a lot more impressive with the bat against Australia and look set to compete strongly for the title with almost home town support.

3. Smaller numbers are working. Previous cups have meandered until the second stage when the heavyweights play each other. This time, the cup has more games with more on the line. Afghanistan have quality bowlers but lack the class to really compete overall and Sri Lanka unfortunately probably the exceptions to this rule.

4. South Africa got it wrong leaving AB De Villiers at home. From perennial fancies to holding up the wrong end of the ladder SA are gone. The batting looks brittle and the bowling unable to contain either England or Bangladesh before a better showing against India.

5. New Zealand are great at tournaments. They punch above their weight consistently and always turn up ready to play. Whilst one suspects they will find their match at the semi final stage they give themselves every chance. Would love to see them snatch a title after coming runners up last time (assuming the Australians are not in the final of course).

6. Australia bowling a worry. Stoinis with a side strain, Coulter Nile looking "easy pickings" and Zampa under pressure to hold his spot the bowling is far from settled. Reintroduction of Warner and Smith a mixed bag so far. Remains to be seen whether their coaching group can galvanise them at the back end of the tournament as has happened in the past. Without doubt the smoky that the fancied teams don't want to meet in a cut throat semi.