McGrath: England are favourites for 2019 World Cup

McGrath has famously prophesied many a 5-0 Ashes whitewash down the years... but now he's changed his tune

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England have been made World Cup favourites by Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath has made a happy habit of predicting mammoth defeats for England but now he's tipping Eoin Morgan's side for the biggest prize in one-day cricket.

McGrath has famously prophesied many a 5-0 Ashes whitewash down the years, with the premonition proving correct on more than one occasion. However, after watching England comfortably defeat Australia in the recent 50-over clashes Down Under, he's changed his tune somewhat.

And, writing in his column for the Daily Mail, the legendary former seamer has made a very un-McGrath-like prediction.

"From what I have seen of England’s one-day cricket recently, you would have to make them favourites for next year’s World Cup," he wrote.

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England beat Australia 4-1 in the recent ODI series

"They have won 19 of their last 22 one-day internationals and if they can continue the way they are going, maintaining that win ratio, keeping the energy with which they play and the same personnel together, they are going to be hard to beat, especially on home soil."

England's white-ball revolution under Morgan and coach Trevor Bayliss was geared towards triumph in at least one of two major tournaments on home soil.

The first, last year's Champions Trophy, did not produce the result the ECB had hoped. Now the focus is on next year's global jamboree.

McGrath feels England have achieved a perfect balance in their team.

"England had a great series in Australia, the 4-1 scoreline tells you that, but it was the way they played rather than the margin of victory that impressed me most. They dominated the majority of the games and this format just seems to suit them," he said.

"They seem a lot more relaxed, a lot happier than the Test team are right now and that means they go out there and back themselves to perform."

 

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