Cricket World Cup – UEL’s experts give their predictions!

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Tom Reeves previews the Cricket World Cup by speaking to our in-house experts about what they expect to see…

The University of East London Cricket Club have given their World Cup predictions, ahead of the start of the tournament in February.

Here are the results:

Top-scoring batsman

Coach Arfan Akram – AB De Villiers.

Captain Ali Wood – AB De Villiers.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – Virat Kohli.

Tom Reeves – Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Mark Barrell – Kumar Sangakkara.

Fraser Watson – Steve Smith.

Verdict: South Africa’s AB De Villiers comes out as the favourite in this category. Experienced Sri Lankan duo Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara are also backed to have a successful tournament.

Most sixes

Coach Arfan Akram – Brendon McCullum.

Captain Ali Wood – Chris Gayle.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – Kane Williamson.

Tom Reeves – Brendon McCullum.

Mark Barrell – Brendon McCullum.

Fraser Watson – Chris Gayle.

Verdict: Either New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum or West Indian opener Chris Gayle are expected to smash their way into the record books.

Top wicket-taker

Coach Arfan Akram – Dale Steyn.

Captain Ali Wood – Dale Steyn.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – Mitchell Johnson.

Tom Reeves – Dale Steyn.

Mark Barrell – Dale Steyn.

Fraser Watson – Dale Steyn.

Verdict: Only Mohit Rohra doesn’t vote for the South African quick – and interestingly, no spinners are included.

Most catches

Coach Arfan Akram – Kumar Sangakkara.

Captain Ali Wood – MS Dhoni.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – Steve Smith.

Tom Reeves – AB De Villiers.

Mark Barrell – Quinton de Kock.

Fraser Watson – Faf du Plessis.

Verdict: This is probably the most open category. Arfan Akram and Ali Wood have taken the logical step of selecting someone capable of keeping wicket for their side.

Surprise team

Coach Arfan Akram – New Zealand.

Captain Ali Wood – West Indies.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – Scotland.

Tom Reeves – New Zealand.

Mark Barrell – New Zealand.

Fraser Watson – New Zealand.

Verdict: New Zealand are the favourites to upset the odds in Group A. Perhaps surprisingly, Scotland are predicted to have some success.

Underachievers

Coach Arfan Akram – Pakistan.

Captain Ali Wood – England.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – West Indies.

Tom Reeves – West Indies.

Mark Barrell – England.

Fraser Watson – Pakistan.

Verdict: England and West Indies have both had a difficult build-up to the World Cup so far – so it is no surprise they are both predicted to struggle.

Finalists

Coach Arfan Akram – Australia v South Africa.

Captain Ali Wood – Australia v South Africa.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – India v South Africa.

Tom Reeves – Australia v South Africa.

Mark Barrell – Australia v India.

Fraser Watson – Australia v South Africa.

Verdict: Australia are expected to do well on home soil with the other possible finalist split between India and South Arfica.

Tournament winners

Coach Arfan Akram – Australia.

Captain Ali Wood – Australia.

Chairman Mohit Rohra – South Africa.

Tom Reeves – South Africa.

Mark Barrell – Australia.

Fraser Watson – Australia.

Verdict: Australia are the overall favourites to win the World Cup but Mohit Rohra and Tom Reeves expect South Africa to take the crown.

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