GUWAHATI, May 30 - Hosts England remain the favourites to lift the ICC Cricket World Cup which gets underway today, according to British Deputy High Commissioner Bruce Bucknell.
Bucknell was in the city to attend an interactive session with the next generation of cricket fans here at the Coffee House of Cotton University. While interacting with The Assam Tribune, he shared his views on the England weather, stars to watch out in the competition among others.
�It�s not going to be like the last summer. It was very hot, very dry conditions and we all were very worried. India came second during the last summer. This time thankfully it was grey, overcast, little bit damp,� he said when asked regarding the weather in England.
Bucknell is the British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata and he represents the UK in the 13 Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Regarding the prospects of the hosts and India, Bucknell said: �We have seen England playing against Pakistan, it has been high scoring matches. It�s interesting. For England, the bowling is interesting, we have got Archer. He has bowled really well in the IPL and is a death bowler and does yorkers well. I think Archer and Bumrah could be the top bowlers. India�s No. 4 slot should be Rahul or could be Hardik Pandiya.�
Asked about the top contenders, he opined: �England as I have said remain the favourites. India and Australia of course. My worry is how Australia is picking up their form. Their bowling may not be quite up to the mark but their batting is in form.�
struck the match�s first two sixes off successive balls from Lungi Ngidi before he too was caught in the deep.
Left-hander Stokes saw his 79-ball knock end in the penultimate over when caught at third man following a reverse hit off paceman Ngidi (three for 66). � AFP
