With the 2023 Cricket World Cup drawing closer, excitement is building for cricket’s biggest international tournament. England head to India as one of the favourites, but can they retain their World Cup crown?

England Fancy Their Chances

Four years on from their heroics on home soil, England are looking to keep hold of their title by winning the 2023 World Cup in India. For those who like a bet on sports, England are priced at 3/1 to lift the trophy this November.

Being the tournament hosts, India are the favourites with the bookies at just 5/2. Elsewhere, Australia are priced at 4/1, while Pakistan are also up there at 13/2. The action in India is scheduled to take place in October and November, and the competition will no doubt be a thrilling one.

The English qualified for the tournament with ease. In the 2020-23 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, England picked up 15 wins from 24 matches, which was enough for second place. Only New Zealand secured more points in qualifying, and the New Zealanders are available at 7/1 to go on and win the 2023 Cricket World Cup.The door is not completely shut on Kane Williamson's Cricket World Cup 2023 ??

The door is not completely shut on Kane Williamson's Cricket World Cup 2023 ??

More ??https://t.co/A9X1IbTBwv

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 27, 2023

England Reign Supreme in 2019

Looking back on the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, it was a memorable tournament. With the action taking place in ten venues across England and Wales, England always fancied their chances on home soil.

We believe Fred ?? #AshesRewind pic.twitter.com/0jexBtqpNg

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 28, 2023

India and Australia picked up more wins and claimed more points, England cruised through the group stage, winning six of their nine matches. They secured victories over South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and India.

In the knockout stage, England faced old foes Australia in a semi-final at Edgbaston. The English went on to beat the Aussies by eight wickets in Birmingham to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1992.

New Zealand were waiting in the final and it turned out to be a thriller at Lord’s in London. After the match and Super Over was tied, England won on boundary count to become the champions of the world.

Who Will Come Out on Top in 2023?

With their win four years back, England became the third successive host nation to win the World Cup. That is a good omen for India, who will host this year’s edition. They are one of the best cricket nations in the world, and the Men in Blue go into their home tournament as the favourites.

England got the better of India in the Group Stage of the World Cup in 2019, though that was their only group defeat, and India went on to finish top of the points table with 15 points to their name. They were knocked out at the semi-final stage after losing to New Zealand by 18 runs.

Several top nations will back themselves to do the business in India later in the year, but who will come out on top in South Asia? England will no doubt be in the mix. 

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