Glenn McGrath’s Predicted His World Cup Semi Finalists

Three time World Cup winner Glenn McGrath predicted his World Cup semi finalists. It should be recalled that this former Aussie speedstar happens to be the highest wicket taker in the ODI world cup with 71 wickets. As expected he placed his home nation Australia in the top four.

His other semi finalists included the hosts India, defending champions England and 1992 world cup winners Pakistan. He, however, has given reasons for choosing his teams. India, being the hosts would be playing in their own conditions and thus is expected to reach the last four. England are playing very good cricket these days and it will be an upset if they don’t reach the last four and so is Pakistan.

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Incidentally when India hosted the cup for the first time  way back in 1987, along with Pakistan, these very four nations played the semi-finals with Australia getting the better of in form Pakistan team in their own backyard at Lahore while England stunning the then defending champions India at Bombay (now Mumbai). While in the title clash Australia pipped England to lift the Reliance World Cup in Eden Gardens Calcutta.

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If one takes a glance into the history of World Cup then he/she will find that the hosts have very dismal records in the World Cup. From the inaugural  edition in 1975 till date the hosts were only successful in 1996 (Sri Lanka as co hosts), 2011 (India), 2015 (Australia) and 2019( England)

McGrath may have predicted his last four but one would be wrong in discounting New Zealand as records show that whatever cricket the Kiwis play they have managed to sail into the semi finals at least in every occasions with 1975, 1983, 1987, 1996 and 2003 being the only exceptions.