England, India & New Zealand are World Cup favourites - Key

The sides are ranked 1, 2 and 3 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings respectively, and Key sees them as the three sides to beat this summer.

While India have lifted the World Cup on two occasions, England and New Zealand are still chasing a first Men’s World Cup title, finishing runners-up on four occasions combined - three for England and one for New Zealand.

England have been labelled by many as favourites as they head into a home World Cup, but it’s the performances of 2015 runners-up, New Zealand, that has got Key’s attention.

“You will never go into a World Cup where someone isn’t tipping up New Zealand as an outside chance,” Key told Sky Sports.

“This time they will be behind England and India in the betting but not far behind.”

Despite the loss of veterans Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori to retirement, New Zealand have retained the key members of the side that led them to their first Men’s World Cup Final four years ago.

Key believes their star-studded line-up can mix it with the best at CWC19.

“We always say that they punch above their weight, yet we always tip them to do well and they have some top players – Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

“They are an excellent side in their own right. If they have a day out they can beat England, India, anyone.

“They have been a strong outfit for a long time in one-day cricket and are a side you are always wary of, no matter how good your form may be.”